He Died For Me… Ministries Blog

My sister received an email from the young girl going to Switzerland (with her sister) for Thanksgiving to have treatment for her cancer.  They had given her no hope here with tumors all over her body.   The ladies will remember praying for her at the retreat…I was thanking God my sister was with me at the retreat.  She arrived in Switzerland and received her test…but NO TUMORS!  Still has some cancer in her liver that they will treat but NO TUMORS….she was given a few hours to take a walk with her sister and was going to have Thanksgiving out of the hospital! Here is a clip from her email:

Hello everyone–sorry for the mass email but I just wanted to send along an update on my sister’s health.  On Monday she received an injection of yytrium radiation that “lights up” all tumors throughout her body containing her particular form of carcinoid cancer.  Today (Tuesday) a full body scan was completed to indicate what areas of her body contain the tumors.  The initial report  is that there is NO activity anywhere else in her body except in her liver. The activity in her liver is extensive, but this is nothing different than what we already knew. We were unsure whether the tumors that had metastasized to her lung (and been surgically removed last June) had spread further in the lung or to other parts of her body.  The fact that the radiation lit up so much is good news because that means that the yytrium was able to find all of the receptors and light up all of the tumors.  If the yytrium can find the tumors then the doctor said that usually means the treatment will work!!!! So, the news today is very good!!! She has had absolutely no ill effects from the treatment (pain or nausea) and the doctor noted that if she were going to have effects she would already be experiencing them.  So that is also very good news!  She tires very easily, but that is to be expected.  She actually was allowed out of the hospital for a few hours today to take a walk and as we  walked back into the hospital, Judy said that if she had been able to take a walk during her stays at the hospital in Pittsburgh normally she would have been walking back to the hospital in tears knowing that she had to go back in, but today as she walked in she said she had no ill feelings at all and actually felt relieved–and that was before she knew the doctor’s report.  So, the good news is also that she feels secure, safe, and positive about her experience in the hospital so she won’t have any problems when she comes back, which will be on February 1st.  So, honestly I don’t think we could ask for a better Thanksgiving present–there is LOTS for which to be thankful!!!

Thank you to all that has prayed in agreement with us for this young girl.  We are so very thankful to hear this good report.  Keep her in your prayers until her return in February!  God still answers prayer!

Ladies, I just received report from Kaitlyn (young girl receiving an MRI…having terrible headaches).  Her MRI was clear, just like we prayed and she is going now to eye doctor tomorrow to find source of her problem.  Even though we don’t yet have the answer…a clear MRI of her head is such a great report…her Mom called Lindy last night to thank all the ladies for their prayers.

Ronnie and I have arrived home tonight unpacking, reminiscing and resting.  I am so thankful tonight for our great group of ladies that came this year.  To have a great retreat, it takes women that are hungry and receptive to the touch of the Lord.  You were both!  From the very first night you joined together in unity for the needs of others.  Each service you came with anticipation and expectation of what the Lord would do for you.  

This was our largest attendance in 9 years and we are so thankful for your excitement and participation.  I am receiving reports from the ladies that have received such a touch of God this week…which makes everything worthwhile.  YOU are what makes the retreat a success and it certainly was this year.  Thank you. 

We are on our way to Pigeon Forge…..totally loaded!  Trailer is full of gifts, cds (including my new release “My Favorite Psalms”), new colors of t-shirts and table decorations!  Ronnie and I have worked for the last two days loading, folding t-shirts, and getting gifts counted to make sure we have enough for everyone.  We will set the room up in the morning so we can rest for the Thursday night meeting.  Don’t forget if you have not registered, stop by between 6:00PM and 7:30PM to register, pick up your tote bag and name badge.  This will make it easier to get everyone signed in by church time.  If you are registered, stop by and sign in…pick up your tote bag and name badge before service!  We are going to start right at 7:30PM. 

I have just finished a new project.  I chose some of my favorite Psalms and have recorded my voice reading from Psalm 1 to 150.  It is about 30 minutes long and perfect for listening while you drive or just before bedtime.  This will make a great Christmas gift….I’m giving one to my Mom…but can’t wait til Christmas…Thanksgiving will be nice.  Mom, if you’re reading this….I’ll bring it up next week!  Love you Mom.

We are getting so excited about the retreat.  I just know we are headed for our visitation!  I am traveling home tonite to get the final registrations, call in count for meal, load gifts and equipment and leave out Tuesday to get set up and prepare myself for what God has in store for us!  If you discover at the last minute you can come and you are not registered, come ahead…they prepare for a little extra that show up at the door.  If you will email all the way up to Thursday morning, I can still add you to the count!!!  Don’t talk yourself out….come on and let’s see what the Lord will do!

Anticipation is rising as we enter into the last 2 weeks of the Ladies Retreat preparation. We are receiving daily phone calls, emails and text messages for last minute registrations and room reservations.  They have opened up the Creek Stone Inn (across the street from the Ramada) for us.  They have only smoking rooms left at the Ramada and the Creek Stone is very nice and within walking distance of the convention center. 

 We gave our first head count for the meals on Friday so they can order the food for our buffet but they call for a final count on the 16th.  If you are still trying to come and don’t find out until the last minute, email me with your number of women coming before the morning of the 16th and then you can register at the door! 

We have several women coming this year for the first time and we are so excited to see what the Lord has in store for all of us.  The theme for this year’s retreat is “It’s the Climb…”  and we will be dealing with this journey of life.  Every area of our life is necessary to make us who we are.  It’s not about going to the top….it’s the climb. 

I hope you are making arrangements now to join us even for a night or morning service…we look forward to seeing you soon in beautiful Pigeon Forge!

We are winding up the preparations for the Ladies Winter Retreat in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee November 19-21.  We have over 200 gifts wrapped, totes printed, buffet meal ordered and now preparing for your arrival!  We have received several registrations from ladies that are coming for their first time…be sure to mail your registration before the November 7 deadline.    You can go to our Ladies Meetings page on the website to get all the details for preparing for the meeting.  I know you are going to be richly blessed.  I have begun to receive calls and texts from ladies excited to see what God has in store for us.  The anticipation is building…hope to see you there!