Blessings of all kinds

I learned just after I was diagnosed that I, as a stage 4 cancer patient, would qualify for Social Security Disability.  I never got around to applying because I didn't want to deal with the hassle of a government agency OR the waiting game.  But as the season wrapped up this year, I thought I'd better look into it to get a little dough coming in from my side of the equation.

Three weeks ago, I finally got on and set up an account.  I found that the application, while redundant (asking the same questions again and again), was easy to fill out and submit.  THE NEXT MORNING, I got a call from someone at Social Security.  He asked me a lot of questions.  At one point I thought to myself, "Man, I hope this guy is who he says he is because he could steal my identity in one second with everything I've told him!"  He clarified dates, diagnosis, when the disability began, etc.  I asked if he wanted my medical records.  He said he didn't need them (what?!?) and he would get everything submitted right away.  And he was really sorry about my diagnosis and wished me the best.  I honestly didn't expect anything to happen for months.  Government Bureaucracy and all.  But this week, we had a deposit in our checking account for 12 months of disability back paid to when I was diagnosed.  We were shocked!  How is it possible that the government can be so efficient that they get me approved and paid within 3 weeks of my applying?  Nothing short of a miracle and God's Tender Mercies.

I haven't worked full time since Maddie was born, but have done enough with my business and my part time gigs that I had the credits I needed to qualify.  I won't get a lot each month, but enough to help the budget some and take some pressure off.  What a blessing!

We've seen many blessings since we got our house.  So many people have been here helping us accomplish what needs to be done.  Mat said he was looking around at church last Sunday and counted 34 people who have been at our house helping with everything from removing carpet, the old kitchen, framing, sheetrock, wallpaper removal, mudding and sanding (it felt like we did that at least a hundred times), installing cabinets, helping with electrical, etc. etc.  Our neighbor told us not to worry about moving in before the kitchen was done because we could eat dinner at her house every night until we are done.  Another friend has been here every day this week helping me with my list of things to do and shopping for things we need.

And for those of you that have struggled with the paper backing from 47 year old linoleum glued to subfloor, we threw in the towel today.  After trying every adhesive remover on the market, sander, steamer, and heat gun remedy we found on Youtube, it's still there, and there it will stay.  Tearing out and replacing the subfloor was NOT an option with everything else going on.

I worked my tail off last week moving as much "small" stuff as I could.  Seven months ago I registered for a breast cancer retreat in Park City, long before I knew about moving!  The retreat was organized specifically for my stage 4 support group at Huntsman.  So I already knew most of them, and by the end was friends with all of them!  The foundation is called Image Reborn, they provide 3 day retreats to breast cancer survivors for free, all through the year.

I felt so guilty last weekend not helping when everyone was here moving our stuff - and I was at the retreat.  But I'm telling you, I needed to be there.  Mat asked me if I could get a ride because he knew he would need both cars getting things moved over.  I arranged a ride with my friend, Tina, who is in the group as well.  I didn't know until we were on the way up there that she needed to leave a little early on Sunday morning to get back for her Primary program.  She was happy to bring me home again, but I hoped to stay until the very end.  The last activity of the retreat was a Shoshone blessing.  I really wanted to see/experience that so arranged for a ride home with another friend.

My friend, Mieke, is married to a Shoshone Shaman.  He is considered a "medicine man" or a healer.  He explained that the "Great Spirit" is their name for God, just as some refer the the "Universe" or "Allah" as God.  To us he is Heavenly Father.  Sage (sage brush) is a very important herb for many native American tribes, including the Shoshone. Sage sticks are burned to produce smoke that cleanses and heals.  The process is called Smudging.

I took this off a website www.warpathstopeacepipes.com.

Smudging is a traditional Native American Indian method of burning herbs to produce a smoke cloud which is used in various cleansing or prayer ceremonies and purification or healing rituals. Cleansing rituals involving smudging often initiates healing sessions.  The smoke was believed to disperse impurities allowing the healing process to commence. As the smoke rose it was believed that prayers would also rise to the Spirit World and negative thoughts and emotions were lifted away.  The Shaman fans the smoke over the person using his hand or a feather to disperse the smoke toward the Great Spirit and the heavens.

I loved experiencing this new culture!  He explained what the blessing means and how the sage plays into the ceremony.  Then he told us that when he does a group like this, he meditates to see if he can discern the needs in the group.  He said as he was coming up the canyon and meditating, all he could see was gray, fog, he couldn't see through it.  He knew that there was one in the group that was in real need.  I could have, at that moment, raised my hand and announced that it was me.  But I didn't want to take away from the Spirit or the needs of the other members of the group.  Because maybe, I thought, I wasn't the only one with big struggles right now.  So I said nothing.  He came to give a blessing to each of us individually, as he went around the room he spoke Shoshone and dispersed the sage smoke over us.

He started on the other side of the circle, blessing each person in Shoshone, burning the sage and waving the smoke toward the sky.  I was the last one in the circle.  When he came to me, he immediately sensed it was me and acknowledged that.  He was emotional as he felt the weight of my/our burdens.  My blessing was a little longer than the others as he burned the sage and waved it toward heaven.  We talked after about what was going on in our house and he offered to come and cleanse the house and do a salt ceremony.  I'm going to take him up on that after things are put back together.  I think it's similar to when a priesthood holder dedicates a house after you move or have a need.  We'll do that too!  I was grateful for his concern and the time he took to talk to me after the ceremony.

We are having a real struggle with Isaac.  There's quite a bit of negative energy being heaped on us right now.  We're working through it the best we can.  PLEASE keep us all in your prayers as this challenge affects the whole family.