Overcome

I have been trying to put into words the true feelings I have experienced as all this incredible support has been pouring in for me and my family by so many people (near and far). The best word to describe it is "overcome".  Here comes the English teacher in me--"overcome" has a few different meanings.  One definition is "to overwhelm in mind as in an emotion."  Right now I am absolutely overcome with joy, gratitude, and love....

This Easter weekend I was overcome with the joy of spending time with incredible friends and family. On Good Friday, my youth group girls came over and we sat by the pool and talked "girl stuff" and then reflected on what Jesus on the cross really means for us.  Before they left, they presented me with a prayer blanket--given to me by my church, the women's ministry, and the Oasis teens and leaders.  That evening I went to Noah's lacrosse game and my lacrosse "family" presented me with a gorgeous white hydrangea and card from the LAX moms.  Then I headed to our church's Night Of Worship and had the honor of singing praises to our King for who HE IS--then over to my sweet Anga and Martymar's house to spend time with them and their little girl Addie.  Their "real names"--not my nicknames for them-- are Angela and Martin, and they were students in my seventh grade class--my Young Life kids, then my Young Life leaders, and then Martin took over my job as Area Director of Young Life seven years ago....to say they are "family" doesn't even begin to describe the depth of my love for them. A full day of relationships--I am overcome with these blessings.

Easter Sunday was spent with all my favorite people--my church family.  Brunch with families I adore--the Longs, Butlers, and Belascos--sipping mimosas and eating great food in the backyard, and relishing in friendship and fellowship. Then in the evening-- off to the Andranovichs for Easter dinner--they are true family--based on our crazy dinner conversation and all the laughter, these are people who truly KNOW me and my family. Overcome--with the joy of what Easter means. What a glorious day celebrating the foundation of my faith.  "Overcome"--another definition--"to conquer or defeat as in battle". That is what Jesus did for us; that is what Easter is all about--that Jesus overcame death--that he conquered the cross, that He is the living God.

On Tuesday I return to the UCSD Cancer Center to find out more detailed results from the scans and to hopefully begin a plan of treatment and attack upon this cancer. "Overcome"--third definition--" to prevail over; to surmount, as against opposition or debility, or weakness." This cancer is definitely my opposition, my enemy right now.  But I will overcome--with faith, with friends, with great doctors, with hope, and with the ultimate Healer,  Jesus Christ. I will prevail.....no matter the diagnosis or the outcome--I will overcome.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution, or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?.....NO, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8: 35, 37 (and the whole rest of the passage is amazing too!)

Jesus overcame death so that we could have life, and life to the fullest.  With Christ, I (we) shall overcome.

Blessings