A New Year

It is a new year indeed. I have been given a new lease on life. In August 2013, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer and given two months to live (without treatment, or with treatment that did not work). Now, six treatments over four months later, the cancer is under control and treatments will no longer include chemotherapy that kills good cells (I will continue receiving treatments that target the cancer cells, but these agents don't cause fatigue, hair loss, peripheral neuropathy, impaired taste buds and all the other issues that have made the last four months unpleasant). Extreme fatigue has kept me from almost all activities, most especially farming. But I look forward to renewed strength in the new year. On the right is a picture of me this fall loving on a baby goat. She was orphaned at five days old and my sister, with whom I was staying, allowed her to come live with us so that we could care for her, including bottle feeding her every six hours. What a great boost to my spirits to have a precious doeling as a companion.

 

What has facing death taught me? First and foremost, my faith in eternal life with Christ has been tested and validated. Peace that surpasses understanding has been mine the whole time. I know without a doubt that once this life is over, I have a home in heaven purchased with the blood of Jesus. Second, God still performs miracles today. He has lavished them on us, both big and small. And lastly, I have learned to live each day to the fullest. I believe I have always been grateful for life and my blessings, but I can't say that I have made the most of each day. I have let "the cost" of things overshadow their worth. Cost, not just in terms of money, but in other ways as well. So I will be splurging more in the days to come!

 

One interesting outcome of this season of my life is being inspired by Food Network to pursue new culinary adventures. I haven't had TV since the early 1990's, but my husband got DirectTV for me to help pass the time during my illness. I have watched many cooking shows and learned a lot. Now, I want to put those lessons to good use. I anticipate future blog entries will chronicle the successes and failures of these endeavors.

 

I will leave you with a few pictures of the newest members of the farm ... meat goat babies born in the last couple of months.

Scott and Adelaine's buckling

Scott and Buttons with her buckling

My grandson Isaac and Doll Face's doeling

Flip and Blondie

Thunder, Pretty Girl's buckling

Teenager and her twins, a doeling and a buckling