Head-Lines

The past few weeks have been jammed packed with stress, activities and pressure. 

I had to oversee five major events at work:

• Lecture by a nationally renowned author
• Patient's Perspective Presentation
• PINK DAY Information Fair
• Healthcare Specialist Symposium
• Competitive Simulation Workshop

My sister, Robin, had a very difficult and dangerous spinal surgery on November 4th.  She'll be in excrutiating pain for weeks and have many months of rehabilitation ahead of her.  The hospital staff was very neglectful of her and she developed pneumonia and severe bed sores. She was also abused by a staff member. My brother-in-law was able to get her transferred to a rehab/nursing center so she could receive proper care.

Then Courtney was taken to the hospital twice in a matter of a month...she had severe head pain and was incoherent for hours at a time.  Diagnosis after CTScan, MRI, and lumbar puncture...aseptic menigitis AND the possibility of pseudo-tumor cerebri...she is being given medication and being monitored by her doctor. At her last visit she said the doctor told her the steroids weakened her immune system and she now has strep. It is sooooo hard to be 650 miles from your child when you just want to hold them in your arms and make them feel safe.

To top it off, work announced a reduction in the amount of staff at my level...criteria would be based on performance reviews over past two years and length of service.  Although I had good performance ratings, I've only been with the company 3.5 years.  With a child in college and two upcoming weddings, the thought of being out of a job is unnerving.  This is going to be the ultimate test of my faith...I won't know until November 10th.

In the midst of all the tension and anxiety...just when I did not know how much more I could take...it was time for the annual women's retreat for my church.  Three days at Traber Center at the top of a mountain in Spring City, PA.  The timing was perfect...just what I needed!

Our speaker was Sherrie Holloway, a professor at Baptist Bible College and founder of Wellspring Ministries.  Her topic for the weekend was "Seeking Through the Darkness."  Well, if that wasn't perfectly appropriate!!!!

Sherrie spoke about how the Light in the Darkness of Fear is Faith...The Light in the Darkness of Failure is Forgiveness...The Light in the Darkness of Fatigue is Fellowship.  A verse that spoke to me the loudest over the weekend was Psalm 46:1-2..."God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." I struggled throughout the weekend with my emotions, crying out to God that I could not handle the pressures on my own, and He kept bring that verse to mind.  He wanted me to know that despite the trial, however desperate a situation might appear, He would be by my side, holding me up.

Sherrie said in seeking light in the darkness, ask yourself 3 questions:

1. What do I want? (Am I seeking God's will in my life?)
2. What do I know? (GOD is in control of it all!)
3. What will I do?  (Live by faith, trust in Him)

When confront with who God is, I must trust Him - anything else is unexceptable!

I also had a chance to take a few pictures over the weekend, although the weather was quite disagreeable all day Saturday.

I was able to relax and enjoy fellowship around the firepit, pamper myself with a happy hands session, enjoyed a bit of history at the Slavery "Underground Railroad" Museum at Camp Sankanac, and of course, being a stress eater, indulged in Chef Mark's creations!

I've arrived back home with a renewed strength, my mind, body, and soul refreshed.  My Father knew exactly what I needed, and He provided it in abundance.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path...When I feel afraid and think I've lost my way, still, You're there right beside me.  Nothing will I fear as long as You are near; please be with me to the end...Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.