Facing Our Immortality In The Light Of Christmas by Sr. Anne Marie Walsh

How can w be transformed?  Sr. Anne Marie Walsh's revelations from her cancer experience and the true rooted meaning of Christmas.  Be inspired.

http://missionaryinthemodernworld.blogspot.com/2015/12/facing-our-immortality-in-light-of.html?m=1

Merry Christmas

Giving The Worry To Him And Merry Christmas

We have lost many wonderful women from ovarian cancer this year and several of them I knew quite well.  As we prepare for the coming of Christ and the coming of the New Year, let us pause to pray for those who lit up our hearts and that are now living in eternity.

Keep your faith and keep your hope, in people and in God.  Many strides were made this year in ovarian cancer testing and treatment.  We know not what is around the corner and it is possible that what lies ahead brings longer lives with fewer side effects.

If this time of year is difficult for you, either from the loss of a dear friend or loved one, know that you are in my prayers and the prayers of many throughout the world.  You are not alone.

I feel joyful for the first time in many years this Christmas.  It is sincerely a real struggle at times with mom being gone but overall the memories are getting more positive and I am excited to see her when my time comes.  

I look at her photo every day, tap on a kiss and say "I love you mom".  This morning I was putting on purple socks and I could hear her giggling.   

Spending some time handcrafting soaps is my "go to" happy place for the holidays. Many of the soaps will be given away at our parish breakfast this coming Sunday. The rest will be donated to shelters in the Seattle area.

So far I have spent time with friends to see Christmas lights in the Bellevue Botanical Garden, attended a church Christmas concert, spent a fantastic afternoon with a gentlemen friend for a Christmas dinner,  and attended a presentation of "The Nutcracker". I look at my lit tree every morning and evening, say my prayers and think about my family far away.  

Look for the little joys and listen for the Holy Spirit for He will guide you if you allow it.  I have to do this, I don't just say this.  For example, my CA125 went up a little and this is probably because I had a break from Avastin due to an unexpected surgery.  I was worried for a few minutes then I went silent, prayed and asked God to continue to guide me in what direction He sees fit.  I have to stay centered with the Lord, it keeps me steady and happy.  I give that worry to Him.

I pray to Our Holy Mother of God that your heart awakens joyfully for the Coming of Our Lord Jesus this Christmas.  Let Him be your refuge and give you His Love.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love,

Denise

Pick Me Up in Seattle: Lashes and Brows....Two Sisters

http://www.gardendlights.org

My Christmas Tree

A few months ago I met an aesthetician who has a sister that is battling ovarian cancer.  The sisters are living far apart, one in Washington State and the other in Florida. In honor of her sister in Florida, this kind woman named Sandra is starting a business that concentrates on lifting the spirits of women who are experiencing the loss of their brows and lashes as a result of cancer treatments.

Sandra Eaton, owner of The Lash and Brow Clinic, http://www.lashandbrowclinic.com  plans to start a program where she can donate needed goods to women with ovarian cancer. Her clinic is in the Queen Anne area, off of Dexter Avenue.  Sandra gave me a relaxing facial and brow contour a few weeks ago that lifted my spirits, providing a nice bump in happiness.

Sandra's sister is suffering greatly and her sister's resources are getting depleted due to the high cost of medical care. Because of this oftentimes people with cancer do not have money for basc needs. This story rings true all over in cancerland, sadly enough.

If you are in the Seattle area and would like to receive a dignified and private treatment for your brows and lashes, please visit Sandra in her clinic.  She is a very compassionate woman who understands the need for privacy and dignity.  She is also joyful, spirited and enthusiastic in her cause.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Denise Archuleta

Servivorgirl

Thanksgiving Panalitas And A Message Of Love

Last Thanksgiving I slept well into the late afternoon.  November is a very difficult month.  This year I was up by 9:00 am!  I thank the Lord Jesus for continuing to condition my heart and mind, my spirit rejoices in His love.

I am alone, physically.  I am not alone in spirit.  It has been a fantastic day.  I have spoken with my dad, sent and received multiple loving Thanksgiving greetings with family and friends. I have also enjoyed lots of fun time playing with my kitkat Marilyn.

Mom's passing, birthday and favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, all happen within a few weeks of each other.  Last year I was immobilized.  This year only partially immobilized.

God awoke me with joy today.  I was excited to cook her favorite meal today, a pot roast.  This will provide many more meals to come as well.  I  am attempting a pumpkin pie and panalitas, a spanish individual pie.  We know them by their common name of empanadas.  I have been searching for the term "panalita" and it seems to evade me.  I wonder from where grandma Archuleta got the word panalita? 

The panalitas are taking longer to cook than I have anticipated, so we'll see how they turn out. Ha!  

Since I have already snacked on cinnamon-sugar pie crust I really don't need anymore calories for the day.  I will prepare a small salad so that I feel some nutritional balance.  Ha!

I will continue to decorate my tree.  As part of a new tradition that I am starting in my humble home, I put up the tree on mom's birthday.  I really felt happiness starting early this year.  Many of us are yearning for more happiness, the world is appearing more and more dangerous and we are seeking safety and love.

God, through his only begotten son, our Lord Jesus Christ, provides this Love to us, always.  He does not force His way into our lives.  I am so grateful to have this chance to get to know Him more and more each day.  Over this year I have gotten more comfortable with mom being up in Heaven because I know she is safe, she is happy and she is Loved.  That is probably why I was able to get up today and celebrate Thanksgiving in my own little way as opposed to being too sad to rejoice in Thanksgiving to God and my loved ones.

Our Pope is an instrument of His love. Please take just two minutes to view these Blessings from God:

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/pope-francis-visits-america/baby-kissed-pope-sees-brain-tumor-shrink-family-says-n469751

http://www.12news.com/story/life/faith/pope-coverage/2015/09/23/phx-family-believes-popes-blessing-saved-babys-life/72021618/

I pray for all of you to find security in the Lord and peace with your family.  If you are alone physically say a little prayer to God to remind yourself that you really are not alone.

Happy Thanksgiving!

God Bless you all.

Grandma Archuleta made panalitas for the holidays.  These are little pumpkin pies.
To all our loved ones in Heaven, we love you and miss you.

Art Therapy

My cross of hope

Mom's fish ornament

ART

I remember sitting at mom's kitchen table in Seattle several years ago, feeling the urge to draw. I was receiving heavy frontline chemo, felt out of sorts and was craving a way to express myself.  Mom, being a true artist, had supplies on the ready.  She pointed me in the right direction and I just sat there, no talking, just painting what came to my mind.

The process instantly brought about a blanket of peace and calm.

This fish ornament had been given to mom by me the Christmas before and I love it so much.  My little rendition gives me a pulse of happiness because the colors remind me of her.  The cross represents my light of hope in Jesus and Love for Christ.  

I am writing today about the importance of participating in art as part of our daily life,  especially when we have a serious illness.  Everyone has the ability to create art. 

We need to nurture our creativity and art therapy is in and of itself a branch of healthcare that can help people cope with fear, pain and the unknown.  It allows for us to express ourselves without justification or explanation. Art "is".

I am not an artist by any means, not like others in my family who can actually draw and paint or sculpt.  I do though love to create things and build on ideas. This blog was originally created by me as a form of expressive art. 

Now I have another new passion.  I love to make soap!  It is a complete distraction.  I literally forget my problems.

Surrounding ourselves with art that pleases our senses is like layering our immune system with hundreds of millions of new T cells.  If you have lots of medical equipment, supplies and brochures in your home environment, try to organize these items so that they are only visible when used.  It will help your mood.  

Spend some time escaping via You Tube watching art videos.  Coloring books seem to be the rage now for adults, go ahead and get one.  Get your hands in it and place the color on the paper.  Allow your hands to follow your heart.  

For those who want to see academic results on how art therapy helps people with cancer, see this link on a study completed by:

Barnes, Diana C., "How Women Use Art and Art erapy to Cope With Breast Cancer: A Systematic Exploration of Published Literature" (2015). LMU/LLS eses and Dissertations. Paper 148.

 

http://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1152&context=etd&sei-redir=1&referer=https%3A%2F%2Fscholar.google.com%2Fscholar%3Fas_ylo%3D2015%26q%3Dart%2Btherapy%2Bcancer%26hl%3Den%26as_sdt%3D0%2C48%26as_vis%3D1#search=%22art%20therapy%20cancer%22

I also want to plug our local creative outlet for cancer patients, http://www.cancerlifeline.org  Cancer Lifeline offers free art classes to all people with cancer, as well as other valuable support groups and resources for people in the Seattle area.  Thank you Cancer Lifeline for your generous contribution to the Seattle community.

November is the month of remembrance.  I pay my respects to all the souls who have departed us for the heavens.  I miss you mom. 

God Bless you all.

Denise