Mary Time

I’ve now had 7 of the 12 weekly chemo treatments!!  It feels great to be over the hump and on the downhill side of chemo.  The last two weeks have gone well.  The fatigue has set in stronger.  Tuesdays and Wednesdays are still my most energetic days, so I try to schedule my to-do things on those days.  I have to have some down time EVERY day now.  I’m spending more time reading and doing things on a lap top while I rest.  My peach fuzz hair continues to grow!  I’ll try to post an updated photo in each blog to show the growth. 

  

About 10 days ago I was feeling frustrated and down about my lack of energy, looking ahead and knowing it was going to continue declining.  A wise friend shared something that was really helpful.  She referred to the story in the New Testament of sisters Mary and Martha, Luke 10:38-42.  As a quick refresher, the Savior was in their home and Martha was getting annoyed with Mary because they had a lot of work to do, and Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning from him.  Martha, in frustration, complained to Jesus about Mary not helping her.  He then tells her:  "But one thing is needful:  and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."  So, my friend’s counsel was, this is a time in your life to take on the Mary role, Martha will return, but enjoy this rare season that you can embrace some Mary time.  I know the Savior wants us all to find the right balance of being both a Mary and a Martha.  I’m trying to appreciate  and enjoy this Mary time, rather than sorrow over the Martha time that has to  check out for a while. I’m  using my rest time to research  my family tree, read , and write in my journal.  I love being able to do these things without feeling guilty about neglecting other things.   

   

As I was reading scriptures last week, I came across a verse that really stood out, and provided comfort.  King Benjamin is speaking to his people, prophesying of Christ.  In Moroni 3:7, of the Book of Mormon it says:  And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and FATIGUE, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and abominations of his people.”  The word “fatigue” reminded me that He really has experienced every challenge that we will face, and because of that, he knows how we feel and how to help us through any challenge.  I am so thankful for Jesus and the strength and support I feel from Him during this mountain climb.  I’m also very thankful for all of the prayers that are continually going up in my behalf.  They are so helpful-- I feel their sustaining power.