suzmurphy's Xanga

Heavy traffic = divine appointment

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:26:19 GMT

I experienced the worst traffic jam EVER tonight in all the years I've been going to Beth Moore's Bible studies at First Baptist Houston. It took no time to get from Jersey Village to the church, but then I sat as traffic backed up for miles to get into one of several parking garages. My usual lot was already full, so I was charting unknown territory. While I sat in traffic I tweeted about the 1000s of people (4,000. to be exact) trying to get in.

Just as I made the turn to get into the parking garage, who do I see walking down the driveway but my former college roommate, staying in Houston taking care of her dad and her brother for awhile. She had driven her brother to a meeting at a nearby office building, dropped him off and wondered where the church was where Beth was speaking. Turns out I drove up just at the right time, flagged her down and she hopped in the car with me. She found her way with me to the Bible study and an available seat that my family and friends were holding. The church was packed to overflowing! Many had to go into the overflow area and watch on a big screen. Susan and I were there seated where I always sit in the balcony.

So just when I was lamenting the traffic, God had something else in mind. I need to remember this.

The Egg McMurphy

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:03:07 GMT

John Murphy is giving McDonald's a run for their money with the new Egg McMurphy(R). "It's all about having the right equipment," said Murphy, who made the Egg McMurphy in a tiny cast iron skillet about the size of his palm. The egg was cooked in the skillet over three coals in Murphy's back yard. The muffin is whole wheat, a healthier option than McDonald's version. "Yeah, I think I'll have another one," he said. "We're gonna have to buy more eggs."

You Never Know What You'll See in Somebody's Vacation Photos

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:30:31 GMT

Just when life gets a little too run-of-the-mill, out of nowhere comes a reminder that there's still mystery in life to surprise and delight you. Dave, a friend from high school days, and I recently reconnected through Facebook. Now, he'll be the first to tell you that he loathes Facebook and the whole social media scene, so I felt that I had to make that clear right up front. In fact, I may still be his only Facebook friend. He prefers email. That said, I'll go on to unveil the unusual connection he and I share. I found out about it while looking at some of his family vacation photos.

In email correspondence since the reconnect Dave has mentioned his wife by name several times and we have discussed getting together for dinner, but, to date, the timing just hasn't been right. So several days ago, I received a group email he sent out to a few of his friends of a photo of Alice Cooper (vintage Dave) on stage at a concert, part of Dave's family getaway. It brought back memories of the Ted Nugent concert we attended back in the late 70s. My recollection of that concert was Nugent spitting all over the stage, me being bored and us leaving early (now THAT's a friend). I hear nowadays that Ted Nugent is a conservative and a bow hunter. Go figure. But I digress...

The second batch of emailed vacation photos included a picture of his wife. I had to catch my breath the minute I saw her. It turns out she wasn't just Dave's wife; she was the woman who saved my life. "Betsy" (I didn't know her by that name, of course) was my breast surgeon who treated me with great TLC as she had to break the awful news that I had breast cancer. She was the one who, when during the biopsy, had taken an extra step of injecting anesthesia so that when the needle went in I barely felt it at all. She's the one who plucked the breast cancer pin off of her white coat to give to my husband after he made a passing comment about it. At "the meeting" she told us this thing called cancer would take about a year out of our lives. And she was right.

This lovely doctor was also the one whose handiwork was ooohed and ahhed over by subsequent surgeons when I was reconstructed several months after she removed the cancer from my body.

So as delightful as it's been reconnecting with my buddy Dave, I have to say that this new revelation has just amazed me. Hurry back from vacation, Dave; I have two necks to hug.

Too Soon

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:58:52 GMT

It feels too soon. We'll miss you, Kathy and Shellynda. We have learned a lot about courage from both of you.

Trouble: Waters gone by

Thu, 07 May 2009 11:49:35 GMT

"You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by." Job 11:16

Reading God's word is like applying balm to a wound. Apply it long enough, and with care, and the wound eventually closes, heals and fades away. I'm giving thanks today as I recall the breast cancer diagnosis I was given three years ago on May 11, and being pronounced cancer free since mid-July of 2006. So this is my prayer of thanks to the great Healer of body, heart and mind.

O God, in times of trouble you meet every need and fear with your tender, peaceful presence. When it's dark you give comfort and light. When the "experts" pronounce judgement you sweep it away. Your verdict stands. You control all things. Bless you, Lord. Encourage those today who need your healing and peace. Lavish on them the strong presence of your Spirit. Remove all pain and fear. Our eyes are on you.

"Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor." Job 11-17-19

Right Where We're Supposed to Be

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:33:48 GMT

Yesterday we threw an open house at our place, celebrating our move to northwest Houston after 22 years of living in the neighborhood where my husband John grew up and where we began our high school romance. Family, friends and co-workers all came to "warm" us into the new place. It was a wonderful afternoon of connecting with folks we have known for many years and some we've just recently met. The last guest to arrive shared a story that encouraged my faith and helped me to worship right there in the middle of our new home.

Carolyn was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. We had lost touch for a year or two and the only reason I found out she was having surgery was that Donna, my sister-in-law, saw her in the parking lot of one of our favorite clothing stores. We got together with her and prayed around Donna's kitchen table before she went under the knife. Oddly enough she was seeing the same doctor I had seen when I had my own bout with breast cancer the year before. After Carolyn's surgery Donna and I (and our husbands) went to visit her.

As far as I knew all was well until early this year when I learned that Carolyn wasn't expected to make it. The doctors had discovered cancer in her spine and it was stage 4. Of course we couldn't believe it.

While in our living room last night Carolyn shared that how even though her nodes were clear cancer showed up, and were it not for a doctor who encouraged her to have a PET scan she might not have known about it until it was too late. The doctors reported to her that the cancer was in a low vertebra and would require extensive surgery that would have laid her up in bed for many months. As a single mother, she decided it wasn't an option. They told her to get her affairs in order, so that's when Carolyn began a search to save her life.

She simply Googled "spine cancer cure" and found out about a machine that could kill cancer of the spine without surgery. There were only three of these machines in Texas and one was at Methodist Hospital in Houston. Carolyn's neighbor across the street just "happened" to work there and connected her with the appropriate doctor.

"When I thought my number was up I told God I wouldn't forsake Him," she said. "I also told him I didn't understand why this was happening to me, but I would accept His will, whatever it was." That was the night before she went in for her consultation. The next morning, after the doctor examined her, he told her not only was it was treatable, but he believed she would be cured. "One night I thought I might die and by 9:30 the next morning I had hope that I was going to live."

"It occurred to me that as a believer wherever I am is where I'm supposed to be," she said. "No matter what my situation -- even if it isn't where I'd like to be -- it's where God is working. Maybe someone else can find Him in the middle of my situation. The worst that can happen to me is that I end up in heaven."

After five treatments Carolyn has been declared cancer free.

Hope in times of crisis

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:49:32 GMT

“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.” Ps. 33:18-19

These verses struck me this morning as I sat down to spend a little time praying and reading my Bible. I’ve thought a bit about the economic crisis that’s plaguing our country and the world. I hear about home foreclosures and people losing their jobs. These are frightening times for many.

I recall praying a great deal during those sorts of times in our lives: a couple of bouts of unemployment that my husband has gone through – once when he was the sole provider and I stayed home with our young children. One round of unemployment lasted nearly a year, but I had a job at the time (albeit with a small salary); And then there was a hellish job experience (during the same time frame as the year-long unemployment) over the course of nearly three years where many days I felt I’d rather die (literally, some days) than have to go in to work; and then a few years later when I learned I had breast cancer.

Our lives are not unique. There is trouble on every side in our world – both for believers and unbelievers. The difference, I believe, in the quality of the journey and the ultimate destination is in Whom we place our hope during difficult times. Do I fret about things I can’t control, or go to the One who has all power to change the situation – or change me (for the better) – in the process?

There’s no doubt about it; adversity changes us forever. But how -- by making us hopeless, or by drawing us closer to the One who can sustain us? Are His eyes on me to deliver me from death and keep me alive in famine? The choice is up to me.

Mirrors and Blessings

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:12:03 GMT

Good lab results of some blood tests I had taken some time ago came unexpectedly in yesterday’s mail. I had initially received the good report by email from the doctor, so the thick letter that landed on my dining table wasn’t alarming, but rather served to remind me that my experience with breast cancer is starting to look smaller and smaller in the rear view mirror as I approach three years post-diagnosis. And I am grateful.

Mirrors, more for women than men, I suppose, are enemies rather than friends. But last night at the Wellness Center (where I make myself work out) I caught a glimpse of my profile while lifting weights and marveled that there was something, where once, for a short while at least, there had been nothing. It was a good thing to see. I am grateful.

One of the first thoughts I had after being diagnosed was that I hoped God would use this disease in my life for good—that through it all I might become more a reflection of Him to others who crossed my path. I’m still working on that one, but I wonder if there are others like me who felt God’s strong presence during cancer, who were blessed to encounter people whose special mission, it seemed, was to encourage and remind you that He would never leave you alone. Of course I know there are others, and I really like hearing their stories. Maybe disease wasn’t part of your experience at all, but whatever it was you knew He was there. Hearing about God’s activity in others’ lives brings joy—and hope to the heart. Please share yours. I’d be grateful. suzmurphy@comcast.net

“And we know that God causes all things [even cancer] to work together for good to them that love Him, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

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Sat, 21 Feb 2009 21:39:20 GMT

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A Reason to Hope

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:48:31 GMT

Cancer came calling on at least three members of College Park in '06 and '07. It's our little church in the big city with fewer than 200 members where my husband and I have spent the bulk of our adult lives worshiping God and raising our children. In May 2006, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, five months later Glenn S. was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive type of brain tumor, and in the spring of ’07 Mike N. learned he had a squamous cell tumor in his jaw. I’ll tell Mike’s story in a later blog.

Glenn had a seizure in the wee hours on Halloween and, fortunately, he was able to walk into the hospital under his own steam. He stayed in the hospital five days yet didn’t know until early January that he had a brain tumor, and wasn’t sure at that point if it was malignant.

The biggest concern for Glenn was that his maternal grandfather had died at 40-something of a brain tumor, and at that time they didn’t even know what it was that took his life.

“We prayed a lot,” said Glenn. “God has never let me down throughout my life.” He was mostly thinking about his mom and how she would take it after losing her father at such a young age. And then there was his wife, Lisa, and their teenage son, Peter.

Our church held a special prayer meeting for Glenn, as they had also done for me. The congregation prayed over us and held us in their hearts and in their arms. Our pastor’s wife, Dana, who leads our children’s church, held a special prayer meeting with our children, some of who are Glenn’s 6th grade Sunday school students. Glenn got a little teary when he recalled the kids praying for him. “Some of them were really upset,” he said. Glenn has been teaching that age group longer than most of us can remember.

As Lisa’s parents prayed, her mom called to say she had a “good feeling.” Glenn said he never had anxiety and never felt it was a death sentence. It strengthened his faith when the deacons in our church elected him chairman just a few days after his surgery. He was present at the meeting to accept the nomination.

Glenn has had no side effects after surgery – no memory problems or loss of functionality – although the tumor was the size of a lime. He is a computer consultant, and he never missed more than a week of work, even during the six months that he was unable to drive. He needed no radiation, never got sick or lost his hair while taking oral chemotherapy. He's thankful to his MD Anderson team, Dr. Prabhu and Dr. Gilbert, among others, for their incredible work.

Glenn has been declared cancer free. “When people see the scar on my head, it opens the door to tell them what God has done in my life,” he said. “My faith is stronger.”

“You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me… All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:5,16