Relay for Life Dinner Speech, Trout Creek Marina, April 25, 2015

Relay for Life Dinner Speech, April 25, 2015

Today, I celebrate the bravery of women who have passed away and those of you who have fought or are fighting cancer. From you I learn and keep fighting.

“I heard the words no woman wants to hear: breast cancer”

Cancer, in less than two months, has impacted my life. It has brought to my attention to enjoy what’s important and who is priority right now.

I now smile about what is going well.

I have put together a team of caregivers: my family, prayer warriors, researchers, doctors and friends. I consider myself blessed and fortunate that the tumor was found early and the prognosis is promising.

I had no symptoms, no lump.

It is important to go to your annual, routine mammogram. If I had waited until age 50, as some recommended, I may not have lived to be 50.

It took a mammogram to notice anything, then an ultrasound and a biopsy to confirm that more work was needed.

I was clean one year ago. But this cancer was invasive.

If I had waited one more year, surely the cancer would have spread and become a much bigger problem. By then, a lumpectomy would not have been sufficient.

I am a woman of faith. No matter what I’m going through, I praise my

God. As a believer, you must understand that everywhere we go, we

are on the adversary’s territory. This is why we get attacked. I have

one warning to this adversary: when my God shows up, RUN!

Something amazing happens when you let go and let God take over.

The need we may face is great, but His grace is GREATER!

In the middle of darkness there is a miracle.

In the middle of darkness others may be listening.

In the middle of darkness God shows up!

I have been tempted and tested. See, the enemy may poke all he wants, but he has no discernment, so he waits for me to react; he waits for my confession.

“I declare the enemy knocked out. I declare this decease knocked out.

I declare my Commander-in-Chief has won the fight.”

Devil, bow down!

“Fear can keep us up all night, but we do not have a spirit of fear.”

2 Tim 1:7   For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.

My family and I did not adopt a spirit of fear. We told friends and family that this was not a sad moment, but one for action.

I acted to defend against the adversary's attack. I went to experienced friends, lined up top-flight medical help, gave others roles as prayer warriors, I established a blog to communicate widely instead of using these crucial hours in countless conversations. The blog inspired others and brought me here. Thank you Tonia for asking me to speak.

Others said I was strong.

Others said I was courageous.

But what I am is faithful.

I put God at the head of my team, I gave Him my trust and relied on my personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The result was no fear.

The result was confidence.

The result was peace.

Today, I would not change a thing. Because I am even closer to God and I learned so much in so short a time.

Protect yourself from toxic friends, seek out the hopeful ones. Don’t be sensitive to what people may say to you. Some responses might be:

 “Oh, no” or “I knew someone who didn’t fare well”

OR even Christian friends may say…

“Your cancer is part of God’s plan.” Really? That makes me want to say, First of all, it’s not my cancer, I do NOT take ownership. Second, what does God have planned for you? (Actually, I wouldn’t say this back…) God’s plan is bigger than my current circumstance. 

Don’t be offended when people offer their help. Don’t be afraid to accept the help. My friends know if they offer to help I will put them to work. Don’t feel obligated to make contact, or return calls. Find ways or a support system where you can post or blog or have someone blog for you.

Cancer does NOT define us. Repeat after me…

It cannot silence courage

It cannot corrupt faith

It cannot steal eternal life

I know I have a challenge ahead of me in this journey and you do, too. Let’s choose to inspire others, to encourage them, to give hope.  Let’s pledge to take action, to spread awareness, to support research, to support treatment and prevention.

I want to dedicate this bible verse to you, Isaish 53:5  

He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; and with His stripes we are healed.

Choose Hope.  Fight in Faith.  Live to Win.  

Be blessed.