I’ve been praying for you
It happened again this morning as I was walking Wrightsville Beach. I saw someone from The Bridge whom I had never met, so I stopped and introduced myself to him. His response? “You’re Becky Graves? I’ve been praying for you, and I’ve been praying for Haiti Awake, too.”
How humbling that is. How encouraging that is. Over and over I meet people who tell me, “I have been praying for you.” Friends I have known for years remind me daily, “I’m praying for you.”
Friday as I was waiting for my lab appointment and feeling my stress rise, I got a text from a friend, “Praying for good lab results today 🙏.” I cannot tell you how many times I’ve gotten a text like that at just the right moment because someone was listening to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
Friends, have you ever wondered if your prayers matter? I am here to tell you that I am living proof that they do. I feel them every day.
Here’s my challenge to you. Let the Holy Spirit lead your prayers today and reach out to the person you pray for. Let them know you care. Let them know you are praying. I promise you it will mean more than you’ll know.
“Pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
It's a new week
Thank you for all the prayers and support last week. My next infusion date is April 6.
I am feeling like myself again and planning to enjoy this down time before Round 2.
Today was my 2nd post-chemo shampoo. So far, so good.
Chemo. Round 1. Day 7.
I woke up feeling like myself this morning. I went for a run. Then I walked down the beach. I went to church. I believe the worst of it for round 1 is behind me.
The only odd thing today was food aversion (my usual yogurt and banana) and food craving (eggs with jalapenos).
My next infusion is scheduled for April 6.
October 22 was supposed to be surgery day
I am thankful that by not rushing to a decision, I’ve had plenty of time to process changing circumstances.
As I walked onto the beach this morning, I realized, “The plan was to be in the OR at Duke today, but instead I’m seeing this glorious sunrise.”
Dr. Hillman and I spoke again by phone last night. I am so thankful to have him on my team.
He has talked with Dr. Rossi, and on Friday, Dr. Rossi will call me. We do not have a new surgery date yet, but it looks like I will soon have a full open abdominal procedure (similar to the surgery I had in May 2023), followed by a new drug therapy (the specifics of which are still undecided).
After the last 12 days which were full of uncertainty, this morning I am at peace with what may lie ahead. Although I wish all of this could have moved along a little more quickly, I am thankful that by not rushing to a decision, I’ve had plenty of time to process changing circumstances and prepare my heart, my mind, and my body for the days that are coming.
“I will remain confident in this, I will see the goodness of the Lord.”
Psalm 27:13
The wind & waves bring beauty
The last few mornings at the beach have been cold and windy, the waves pounding the shore, leaving very little room to walk on the sand.
I told a friend on Wednesday morning, “Just wait. This is going to bring some great treasures to find soon enough!”
Today I went to the beach filled with expectation, believing I would find something beautiful.
I walked north on Lumina from Johnny Mercer to Access 2. I then went out to the sand to head back, and almost immediately I spotted the first treasure of beauty. I didn’t really even have to search.
It was right there.
And that’s how the rest of the walk went. I saw beautiful treasures all around.
This caused me to think on my own journey over the last year, how at times the circumstances have been cold and unrelenting like the wind has been at the beach this week. And yet, for now, the winds have calmed and I see so much beauty every day. I am not even having to search for it.
It is right there.
Life is so beautiful.