My Foundation.

When we were building our house in September 2011 ( before my diagnosis), one of the very first things the builders did, was build our foundation. This included a lot of concrete, sweat, and measurements. I asking Josh when they were going to pour the concrete, because I wanted to write a scripture on our back porch. The date kept being iffy and finally Josh called me one morning and told me they were pouring the foundation. I remember that morning going up to our lot and asking the workers (all who spoke in Spanish, which was a funny conversation in itself) of when it would be ready for me to write on the concrete. I think they were all confused of what I was asking about, but one man understood, and he kept saying, "Come back in an hour." Well, I did this about 10 times and the concrete was too wet each time. I finally was able to write the scripture, as I wrote it in frustration as all the workers were laughing at me. I remember it being a frustrating day, but by golly, I got my verse written on our porch!!! We went back that night to see if the foundation had hardened and to check out my verse. Apparently, the crew that day (that was laughing at me) apparently decided to add some art-work to my verse and made little squiggilies around my verse. I remember crying as I saw what they had done. To Josh, he didn't understand why I was so upset, but it was because I had been by the house at least 10 times that day, with frustration and heat, all to get to the house and see their "artwork" around my verse. I remember later that night feeling silly for getting so upset and God giving me peace just to laugh about it and know it would be a fun story. He reminded me that it was the symbol of that verse and what it said that was important- not the nice "artwork" that the foundation crew added to our family's verse. Here is a picture of our verse on our back porch.

Matthew 7:24-25 says,"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."

I am thankful that HE is my foundation. I see client after client whose world crumbles into pieces when tragedy or crisis strikes. We talk a lot about building a foundation that will hold when the rains and winds come. The ONLY firm foundation is Jesus Christ. I would not be standing physically, mentally, spiritually, if He was not my foundation...

When I think of foundations, I of course think of Jesus, my husband, my family, but I want to tell you a little about my friends. When I say that I have the best friends on the face of the earth, that is the biggest understatement. My friends have been the truest of friends throughout my battle. I had the privilege of going to New York City with 2 of my incredible friends, Ainsley and Margot this past week. Margot was my best friend in elementary (in Lafayette) and Ainsley was my best friend in high school (in Monroe) and now they are best friends and live together in Baton Rouge( a really cool God story of how he has knit us all together), but I was able to have the trip of a lifetime with these girls this past week. Here are a few pictures from our amazing trip.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

 Excited to get on our first subway of the trip!

In Front of the Plaza Hotel

 Having fun on the Big Piano at FAO Swartz

At Brooklyn's famous Clinton Street Bakery

I had a blast with 2 of my best friends. When this trip idea came up, my typical response is to say no because of time, money, or guilt. I feel so differently now having gone through everything I've been through. I treasure spending quality time with my friends and family and we made sure this trip could happen. My wonderful husband made sure we saved enough for me to go--often times throughout my treatments and thereafter, I wondered if I would be able to have fun on a trip, if guilt or fear would overtake me, if I could feel normal for a while, so to be able to go on a trip like this, far away from my husband, my doctors, my security blankets, is a true miracle. I am so thankful that the Lord allowed me to go on this trip with 2 girls that have helped build my foundation. I am striving to seize the moments that I discussed in the last post, instead of finding reasons to say no. I pray this trip is a catalyst for me to continue to enjoy the life God has given me.

Ecclesiastes 5:18 "Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life."

When I was first diagnosed, Ains and Marg drove up pretty immediately to be with me. They came to church that Sunday morning with me and were at a prayer gathering right before I left for MDA. When we came to Baton Rouge shortly after my diagnosis to meet with a doctor there, they asked if Josh and I would come to their home because they wanted to talk with us and give me something. This led to several hours at their house where they compiled a book of scriptures for me. They read every scripture out loud, speaking those words over me, and prayed for me and committed to praying me through this journey. I still read these scriptures daily...These 2 girls are 2 of MANY that continue to make my foundation firmer each day. So thankful for those that sharpen me and draw me closer to Christ.

Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."

I am going to add the scripture references that these girls compiled for me, along with others that I received and held to under the "healing scriptures" tab at the top of our blog. One of the questions I get asked often is about how I had so much faith, and it was through believing and speaking these scriptures. Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by HEARING the word, and I took that literally. I read these scriptures outloud daily which increased my faith exponentially. I pray that you will share these healing scriptures with others. God's word is my foundation- for life, for healing, for comfort, for peace...for EVERYTHING.

A little update on me:

Not much has been happening (which is good). My back pain has improved some, which has been encouraging. Still struggling with some back/hip pain, and physical therapy has helped some which is a HUGE answered prayer. It still is a struggle to keep my mind from getting scared, but I truly felt like I have come a long way. I have to remind myself of this...

We have decided to go through with my last reconstructive surgery. This surgery will be the 28th of June and they will do a breast lift on my right breast, remove some skin from my lat flap surgery, a possible release of my left pec muscle, and a possible fat injection to my left breast, where the top of my chest caves in slightly, and try to flatten my drain scars. As I get more details, I will pass on to you, but we have gotten peace over this surgery, which is an answered prayer as well. God is so good to me. We will also head to Houston on the 19th to have a check up with my radiation doctor and surgical oncologist. An Xray and ultrasounds will be done at this time, which can make me nervous, so please be praying for perfect results from these... I love you guys.

***Also, please be listening for me on Monday on 88.7 f.m. radio, as I will be a guest on the "It's a Mom Thing" radio show with Jenny Remsberg and Chrys Howard. If you live out of town or want to listen at work, you can "listen live" on www.kbmq.org, and click on "listen live" and you can listen to a bit of my story from 9:00-10:00 on June 3rd, Monday morning.***


Thankful for my rock solid foundation, Jesus Christ,


Aly