Inking Pink Blog Hop!

***************CANDY NOW CLOSED ************

Welcome to our Inking Pink Awareness Hop!

If you've come from Liz's blog, you are right on track.  If you'd like to start at the beginning, please head on over to Patricia's Blog.  Read on... you just might find some Blog Candy here : )

Our paper crafting community spans the globe and brings all of us together under a common roof. We are grandmothers, granddaughters, mothers, daughters, aunts, sisters, best friends, wives, cyber-friends and design team teammates. Many of us have family or friends touched by breast cancer and all of us want to encourage all of you to check yourself!

This hop will take you around the world, so please sit back with your morning coffee or evening tea and celebrate our stories and projects with us. Some of your fellow crafters along the hop are even offering blog candy! Please give a little comment love to each and every crafter along the way. We hope you enjoy our hop, and most of all we all want YOU to give yourself the greatest gift and do a self-check tomorrow. The more you do it, the more breast aware you will be!

My Story...

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on April 26, 2007.  I had begun routine mammograms when I turned 40 as my doctor suggested.  Although I hated going, I owe my life to EARLY DETECTION!  No, I did not feel a lump.  I had no idea until I received the phone call to come in for a biopsy and the looooooong awaited phone call to see if it was cancer.  At my first appointment with the surgeon, I was told that if I had to have breast cancer, I had the 'best' kind.  It was very early and could be treated without chemo.  I know that God had His hand upon me before, during and now all the days of my life...

The following days, months and years were difficult ones.  Because my mammograms were difficult to read with fibrous tumors, the ultimate decision was made to remove both breasts.  There were three known cancerous spots in both breasts and I had lumpectomies to remove those, but instead of having radiation therapy, a double mastectomy was my fate.  I am very grateful for that decision because pre-cancerous cells were found in my right breast which meant that I would have had to go through this all over again in the future!

You know that nothing is guaranteed in this life... Only God knows about our tomorrows.  He has radically changed me because of breast cancer.  Would I make the same decision to remove both breasts again? You bet!  I still have insecurities...but I'm alive and I've had three years now to get used to this old body lol!  

When I made the decision to remove my breasts, I knew that I would not have reconstructive surgery, but that I would be a 'symbol' to others of the LOVE of God!  What???  Yes!  I mean that!  He has saved my life both physically and spiritually.  I possess the JOY of the LORD ♥  How can I look like I do (I am the ultimate flat-chested woman) and still have JOY?  All because I know my Savior, Jesus Christ!  He makes ALL the difference - I love Him so much : )  

Have you made the decision to follow Jesus?  My sincere prayer is that you will take this opportunity now.  What will happen tomorrow????  Don't let it be too late!

For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 

John 6:40

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 

John 20:31

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 

Romans 1:16

God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.  

1 Corinthians 1:9

If you are ready to confess that Jesus died for your sins; that nothing or no one else can save you... pray with me:

Jesus, I acknowledge that You took the punishment of my sin (past, present and future) for me.  I deserve to pay the price, but in Your Mercy, You died for me!  Please forgive me for trying to do things my own way.  I confess that I am lost without You!  Thank You for making a way for me to be right with God and now I can KNOW that I am saved and will live for all eternity with You in heaven.  In the Powerful Name of Jesus, Amen!

Please let me know if you've prayed this prayer so I can rejoice with you!  My email is on my sidebar.

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10

 If you've stayed with me this far, you've found the CANDY - yay!!!  Here's what's up for grabs:

9 sheets of 12 x 12 Making Memories "Slice" Specialty Paper

Stampology Clear Stamps

Fiskars Punch

To enter, just leave me a comment on this post - winner will be announced on November 1!

...and NOW you'll want to head on over to Marlene's Blog!

In case you get lost along the way here is the hop list:

Patricia

Betty

Bonnie

Carisa

Catherine

Chelsea

Danielle

Emma

Gini

Jamie

Jennifer

Jess

Karen

Kellie

Liz

Lori - you are HERE

Marlene

Meredith

Nicole

Shelly

Stephanie

Susan

Trudy

Much much love and blessings upon you and your family ~