Thank God it wasn't cancer

Hi Everyone

Today was a very emotional day for me. My beautiful cat Jessie (pictured) has had lumps under her chin for over a month now. They hadn't cleared up with medication and she had begun to scratch at them. I was told it could be cancer.

I went to my classes as normal but, at the back of my mind, there was this fear. As the day progressed it grew worse. Luckily it was a really full day so I didn't have enough time to have a full blown panic attack but I was getting close - my heart was beating fast and I had to control my breathing. And, of course, I prayed. Not just once, oh no, I prayed every few minutes.

My friend Tony took Jessie and I to the vet. Once there I was ushered into the consultation room. I was there, alone with Jessie, for about ten minutes. I prayed and did deep breathing exercises the whole time.

The vet, a young Chinese woman, was very sympathetic. She cuddled Jessie to calm her down and looked at the lumps. She said she would show Jessie to the skin specialist. I was alone in the room - more prayer and breathing.

When she re-entered with Jessie in her arms she said "I've got good news." The good news is that Jessie has cat acne which can be treated with antibiotics and a shampoo. I felt my body go limp. Thank you God!

I came home expecting to cuddle up to Jessie in celebration. But she wasn't having that. She sprinted out the door and hid in the bushes. I had to chase her for over an hour!

Jessie is now inside and calm and well.

Thank you to everyone who prayed.

God Bless

Amber

Resurrection Sunday - My near death experience

Hi Everyone

As today is the day we celebrate Jesus' resurrection I thought it might be interesting for you to read about my first experience with God.

I was 15 years old and I had glandular fever. I had taken weeks and weeks off school and just lay in bed feeling terrible. To top it all off the glandular fever was making my asthma worse. I would take my asthma sprays and they would only provide the smallest possible relief.

Anyway one day I was especially sick. I thought I was going to die. My mother went to work but called my aunt to check on me. I couldn't walk and was coughing up blood.

My aunt took me to the hospital where they took me into one of the urgent emergency rooms immediately. They put me on an oxygen mask and they were just putting in a drip when I felt the room go starry, then grey, then black.

I went down a white tunnel which was full of love and brightness. The further up the tunnel I went, the brighter the white light was.

After some distance I heard the most beautiful voice. It said ''It is not your time to die. You must go back. There is something you must do."

I opened my eyes. I was in hospital attached to a drip and an oxygen mask. I was admitted to hospital for several weeks.

I didn't tell anyone of my spiritual experience until much, much later - when I was in my twenties. But I pondered it in my heart and it is one of the reasons I sought out Jesus and the church.

I still don't know what the thing is that I must do - I must wait patiently for an answer.

This memory comforts me and reminds me (like in Psalm 23) - "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death you are with me."

God Bless you all


Amber

A Generous and Sleepy Christmas

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." 2 Corinthians 9:6

It was a great joy to have Christmas with my family yesterday. They gave generously and appreciated my very cheap little gifts.

Of course this is the same with Jesus. He gave us the spiritual gifts of love, peace and mercy, and gave up his life for our gain. We can only give back so little and, for me, it has been even smaller than for others because of my mental health.

The presents I got were all wonderful. From my father and stepmother I got the dress I am wearing in the photo and a lovely cat brooch also a pedometera, lavender hand cream, a book about religion and politics (Seven Ways to Change the World by Jim Ellis) and a diary. From my sister Elspeth I got a zigsaw puzzle and the book which has taken the world by storm Twilight by Stephenie Myer. From my sister Julia I got some soap and from my Nanna I got Island magazine.

I would also like to thank my friend Edwina for a poetry book, Debbie and family for a camera accessory, Debbie's daughter Jasmine for an animal calendar and my friend Raija for a kitten calender.

I would also like to thank all those people who wished me a Merry Christmas by text, email and cards. May God bless you all.

Christmas is usually my favourite time of year but this year I went to sleep for half the day. I'm not sure why I was so tired but it just happened. It was disappointing for me because I didn't get to spend as much time with my family as I wanted.

We were able to reflect together, however, on the details of Jesus' birth and what that means. Their opinions were different to mine. I am convinced that it was both an historical and spiritual event that changed the course of history. Because of this conviction I spent time in the morning in Bible study, reflection and prayer.

Anyway I hope you all had a great Christmas and I look forward to catching up with most of you in the next few weeks.

God Bless

Amber