It is well with my soul ....

Isaiah 43 says ' When you are in over your head, God will be there. When you are in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end!'

It is been a rather full weekend .

On Friday mum and I had a coffee with my close friend's (who lives in England) mum, husband and daughter! We had such a lovely time together. Lots of stories and laughs! It made me feel closer to my friend who is so far away and yet miss her all the more! We lived next door to each other in the UK for a number of years and had that wonderful ability to pass sugar and milk over the fence! Yes we really did that haha - was a unique and very special place to live in our cul-de-sac. Our families plus another neighbour used to go shopping for Christmas trees in winter , in summer we could be seen sitting outside sharing a bottle of wine  and in between we shared many hours of fun and laughter together!
Happy memories!!

Yesterday mum and I went to a ladies day organised by our church. Was a great opportunity to meet other ladies, spend time with friends old and new and to top up the spiritual tank. I am physically exhausted but am glad I went.
It is always a bit challenging going to places where you don't know most of the people as I am aware that they have never known me before and their first impression of me is as this tired, pale headscarfed person!!
At the same time I have also realised over these last months that I am at peace with myself - yes I am looking forward to my hair growing back and looking forward to when everyday my thoughts aren't linked to breast cancer treatment and survival.
I have learn't a lot about myself and a lot about others!
I have learn't a lot about my faith .
I have had to think about all sorts of things and have also realised that I am at peace about dying!
Now don't be distressed I don't think that that is on the cards just yet but it is going to happen to us all one day. I have just been forced to really think about it !
I now know for sure that I am not afraid of that and in fact if our faith is true - what a wonderful day it will be to run into the arms of our heavenly Father!

It is Fathers Day here today so B was surprised this morning with a singsong from the girls bearing gifts and cards!!
B has plans to grow fruit trees so the girls got him a lime tree , and a few other plants for the garden.
It will be quite wonderful to see the trees planted and grow and in time bearing fruit!
This will be a gift that keeps on giving in a far more positive way for sure !!
We had a lovely lunch at our local - it was a buzz with dads and their families!
I'm afraid when we came home I went to bed for the rest of the afternoon - but the girls and B had fun together!

I have felt encouraged this last week as on 2 separate occasions I have had ladies come to me and say they fought this fight and are now doing well . One was in a cafe I went to and she has been cancer free for 7 years and the other was a lady I met yesterday who has been cancer free for 10 years!
Now that the chemotherapy and operation are behind me - my mind is thinking about what is to come!
My body feels as if I have run a marathon and yet walking to the feed the goats leaves me breathless!
Every day I am thankful for my surroundings, for my family near and far for whom I have a fuller appreciation!!
So this week ahead is filled with all sorts of delights - I am starting with a cardiac echo tomorrow to see if the Herceptin is having any adverse effects on my heart!
I am hoping for the best!!

Heb 13:5b Never will I leave you ; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, ' The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid."