Tag: October

Random October Reflections

Boy this month has flown by!! After having surgery this past week I thought I’d keep today’s post simple and share some photos and memories.

My birthday is at the beginning of October and my only “birthday wish” was to hit up my favorite campgrounds (a few hours away from our neck of the woods) where you can camp and also ride four wheelers.

Although we sold our camper last year I still wanted to go for the four wheeler riding so we took a day trip the first weekend of this month. Maybe next year we’ll bring a tent along and make a weekend trip out of it but with the busy Summer we had on the house remodel I felt blessed just to squeeze in the day we got for this!! And with Nebraska’s crazy weather you take advantage of what you can, the weather was in the 70s that day!!!

We celebrated (our oldest daughter) Paige’s 16th birthday with food, family, friends, and limo rides the next weekend!

The third weekend of October our junior high youth group headed up to Camp Comeca—this is our fourth (maybe fifth?) year with this camp. Loads of fun and growing faith!! My two youngest kiddos (McKenzie and Warren) both got to go!

And Mc squeezed in some baking that Sunday afternoon. We love this time of year—leaves changing colors, baking, cozy sweaters and warm blankets!!

This past weekend our family hosted our annual Fall party. This is the fifth year we’ve done this—lots of family and friends, smoked pork loin, yummy potluck style side-dishes, hayrack rides, fellowship—quite a blessing!!

And this last weekend of October I plan to rest!! I had surgery on Wednesday which I wrote about in last Friday’s post so now it’s time to recuperate!

One of my best friends had given me a gift bag full of goodies the day before surgery and attached scripture to each item:

The one scripture that has really spoken to me is this:

I’m gonna wrap up by leaving you with the same encouragement as well!!

Have a blessed weekend!!

Breast Cancer Awareness and Sharing My Story

I wasn’t sure if any of this was ever going to make it to the blog but when the Holy Spirit prompts I’m understanding it’s probably a wise choice to follow suit…

The beginning of September I felt a lump in my armpit area and wasted zero time having it checked out. The nurse practitioner I saw was on top of things and ordered blood tests and a mammogram which led to an ultrasound and biopsy.

When the results came back the next week I was asked to come into the clinic so they could go over them with me. In my typical-quirky-impatient-Alicia manner this was my response, “Oh man! Isn’t that not a good thing when you call me to come in and discuss results!? Can’t you just tell me over the phone first?”

A clear but gentle “no” followed, and within 20 minutes I learned (in person) the biopsy showed stage one breast cancer.

I’ve had several doctor appointments in the time since. They’ll remove the tumor and whatever necessary lymph nodes this Wednesday and then I’ll have radiation for a treatment plan.

It’s been awkward knowing when or if I should tell people because I’d strongly felt like Satan was whispering ‘if you tell people then you’re seeking attention, and it’s only stage one anyways.’

With a welcomed exchange, however, I’ve recently felt God’s nudging—‘don’t waste an opportunity for people to reach out to Me in prayer’…and I definitely want to be respectful of those who want to do just that.

God deserves the outreach of prayer and also the praise that it’s only stage one and the other blessings I’ve counted!

I’m thanking Him for this cancer being caught so early, for my husband’s amazing insurance that the kids and I got on just this year, for the caring doctors and nurses I’ve met so far and for God working in me in the area of patience—I’m finally grabbing onto that fruit of the spirit!! Patience has never come easy for me but I’m now noticing how valuable it is!

My journey in this is (looking) much shorter and milder than what so many others experience and while I’m thankful for an easier diagnosis than what could be, I also don’t want to miss the chance to grow from it either. I want to be mindful of others who are going through the same process or whose results are much more advanced and less tolerable.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and I’ll be the first to admit I’ve been guilty in the past at almost becoming passive in recognizing its public campaigns.

This disease can wreak havoc in people’s lives and now that I’m on this side I’m appreciating things I overlooked before like Breast Cancer Awareness artwork on some of the local business windows in our small town, and mammogram advertisements in news articles and magazines, and the encouragement to get checked because ‘early detection is best.’

I’m pouring out sensitive, direct prayers over those struggling with cancer of all kinds. Their families need lifted up in prayer also. No more of those generic “God, be with those who are dealing with sickness” prayers.

Sometimes you don’t realize the depth of another’s hardships until you walk in the trenches of a similar path.

It’s in the trench where your eyes need to be lifted—your hope fixed upward toward a way out. A Saving Grace—His name is Jesus. He leads and answers in His own perfect way but we must choose to trust and follow along with His plan.

Bible YouVersion

None of us are immune to difficulty…whether it’s cancer, losing a loved one, relationship-conflict, financial hardship, whatever it might be—the trial may be different but the feelings we experience are relatable. Opening up and lifting one another up in prayer is a beautiful regimen offered from the Great Physician—let’s not miss the opportunity.

Sweet weekend blessings as always.❤️

DIY Reusable Outdoor Pumpkins

Happy Fall y’all!! I know I’ve mentioned a time or twenty that I LOVE the Autumn season — not just because I like how that word sounds (because I REALLY do) but because it’s so darn beautiful. The golden tones crowning the tops of trees, cooler evenings, and the wisping and whirling of leaves as they gracefully fall to the ground in a collection of warm colors. It’s a beauty that quickly comes and goes so it’s a sweet reminder of the truth that we must not take time for granted.

Along with Autumn I also love to penny pinch so today we’re going to jump right into this month’s DIY — decorative wood pumpkins!!

That’s right..wood pumpkins! And I will tell you that for the past two years I have yet to purchase a pumpkin because of these charming little gems. Don’t get me wrong if there was a pumpkin patch in the area where I live I’d be all over the Fall stereotype of selecting the perfect pumpkin to take home and adorn my front step but Walmart hardly counts so alas I’m choosing to use wood pumpkins instead…year after year after year…

If you’re interested, let’s get started!

Supplies needed:

4×4 cut at various lengths (4” to 10” pieces recommended) **garden timbers work well also

Drill

Acrylic paint or outdoor paint and brush

Stick for the stems (about 2”)

Fabric (thin burlap rope) to tie around the stem (cut to approximately 1” by 7”)

Outdoor clear spray sealer (for added durability)

Directions:

First you will cut your pumpkins to your desired length.

Then drill a hole at the top (in the center) for the stem about a half inch deep; be sure it is drilled to the size of the stick’s circumference that you are using. It’s also time to paint the pumpkin (or you can leave it the natural wood color).

Once the paint is dry glue the stem into the hole at the top and then tie your fabric piece around the stem to finish it off.

**For added protection from weathering you can spray a coat of outdoor clear sealer over your pumpkins before placing them outdoors for the Fall season each year.

That’s it folks!! Easy breezy!

And now I’m off to enjoy a weekend away with a bestie so I’m gonna keep this post real short and sweet!!

Deuteronomy 31:6 “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.”