Back on TRACK....

Okay my fellow blogger and followers.  Yes, I have to admit, I got off track.  I was getting caught up in what I didn't have instead of what I have.  I know that sounds a little ridiculous and I have to agree.  After all of what God has blessed me with and through, I honestly was trippin on what I couldn't do and what I have yet to accomplish. God reminded me last night that...He Is Not Through With Me Yet....a matter of fact....HE JUST GOT STARTED!!  Everything and everybody who seems to be disappearing and appearing in my life is in his divine order. I cant do anything but appreciate the way HE does things because if it was up to me I wouldn't ever grow.  I like what I like and I don't like what I don't like and all the while God is saying Hate what I Hate and Love what I Love and it gets easier every time.  His yoke is easy and His burdens are light.  I know we read it and say it but do we really mean it.  Man, alright Lord....I am with you.  I get it.  What you have FOR me is FOR me and IT is the BEST FOR ME.  Gotta LOVE IT!! Father continue to bless the event coming up to honor your women that have conquered the storm called cancer.  Bless them and continue to use me to let them know that they are still the APPLE OF YOUR EYE!!! Thanks Lord for Reminding me of my purpose. AMEN!

Jammin TO GOD'S TEMPO!!!

Well, we had our event called S.A.S. Saturday in Austin Texas and it was a blast.  The rain scared away some people but it didn't stop others.  F.A.C.E.S was in the house and received love from everyone that was there.  God is truly a man of his word.  He told me that this would bring HIM glory and honor and it does...he also told me that I would bless people in the process and it does.  But what he didnt tell me is how much joy it would bring me while doing all the above.  You are AWESOME GOD!!!  Please stay tuned for the next event.  It is going to be a blast...maybe the biggest event yet by F.A.C.E.S.  For those of you who are maybe thinking or wondering how my health is doing....well, lets put it like this...check out the picture and go from there.  God has blessed me with a full recovery and now I am due another bone biopsy and get the port taken out. I will schedule those for this month hopefully to be complete by my birthday....OCTOBER 16th!!!  God Bless!

F.A.C.E.S.....If you dont know...Now you know!!!

Its about that time to buckle down and make F.A.C.E.S a nonprofit organization.  There is such a great need for what God has placed in my spirit to do for women who are surviving and conquering cancer.  I have a great journey ahead of me and I can see it being very fulfilling as well.  So, right now, all who read this post, I am praying that you send up a sincere one to the Father in heaven about increasing F.A.C.E.S staff and territory and that it be a blessing to all who reach out for help. And the F.A.C.E.S is able to help their families also. I also pray that I stay focused on the task before me and don't be distracted by the tricks of the enemy and that God surrounds me with people that love him and can help with their gifts, skills, and talents with joy.  This is going to be as big or bigger than any support group I know because it is focusing on the inner self and most importantly on what YOU believe what GOD has said in his word about you and WHO YOU ARE.  God Bless and Be joyful unto the Lord!!

IM HERE!!!!

Sorry, its been too long since I've talked to you and told you about what has been happening in my life.  Well, first I had to sell all the stuff in my old apartment and I did that...except an entertainment center and my comfortable green couch.  So, I packed everything and looked around and needed help moving. So, I then started trying to get everything together in a day and a half.  Needless to say, I over did it a little.  I ended up in the hospital getting a blood transfusion because of losing too much blood.  I was doing too much moving and lifting on my own. So, when I got back from the hospital I started calling some friends to help me move.  A few showed up and did the job for me.  So I climbed in the Uhaul and headed to Dallas.  Got to Dallas and needed some people to help me unload.  My close family and dear friends in Dallas helped me unload and move in.  I couldn't stand looking at boxes and bags everywhere, so I set up my loft in a day and a half.  I know what your thinking...when is she gonna learn? Well, let me assure you once I finished, I think I slept for 2 days. So, since Sept 1st I have been mainly just adjusting to my new spot and getting some loose strings tied up.  Viva Dallas!!!

Time to Get to Work..

God has brought me a mighty long way and now its time to say thank you in the way he has made me to say it.  F.A.C.E.S the support group for women of color surviving cancer is now in FULL EFFECT!!! Today, I am on my way to making it a full blown non-profit organization and get the paper work lined up.  I am planning some big things to happen for the ladies out there that are waiting for this group to touch their lives in a magnificent way.  I am so excited to get started, I am up everyday thinking of new things to do.  When God gives you a purpose it is a burning desire and passion in you that aches to get out.  Its wonderful to finally have purpose..to have a cause.  All these years it was about MonaLisa and now its about HIM!! That is a wonderful feeling.  I will keep you up-to-date on the progress of this FANTASTIC GROUP.  Keep us in your prayers and WATCH GOD MOVE!!!

I Told The Storm....

If I walk alone, Im not on my own.  That is what I have been living by this year. I am embarking on my new life with MY GOD by my side.  I am so excited!! I will be closer to my little one and doing what I do best being Mommy. I look forward to what God has for me in Dallas.  I will miss A LOT of people but I know that they want the best for me.  Okay Dallas here I come.  I will not say that I will not be back because my niece and my sister are still in Austin and my wonderful church family, so we will just say, I will see you guys at least once a month.  But for right now.....Onward and Upward!!!

Being Busy and God has Been Busy TOO....

I know the last time you heard from me I was going through the last of the kool-aid treatment, I was having a benefit concert for F.A.C.E.S, and having a garage sale.  Well, all of that has happened. I finished my kool-aid treatment yesterday and all is well.  I had the benefit party for F.A.C.E.S and that was a blast!  Got some connections and some wigs...I even got a few donations to help the support group build.  Lastly, I am almost done selling all my stuff in my apartment.  One person almost bought me out.  PRAISE GOD!! So, now I am finishing up some last minute transfers and paperwork for my move to the Big D!  I am so blessed and I am so grateful.  God showed me his vision for my life last night and I have some work to do.  I know he will never leave me nor forsake me so if I have any questions or concerns, he's got my back...better yet MY FRONT!! 

I Gave Birth To A Vision Last Night.....

Last night was the first Benefit Party for the support group called F.A.C.E.S. This support group F.A.C.E.S stands for FAITH AND ACCEPTANCE in CHRIST EXPERIENCING SURVIVOR-SHIP. This blog and support group started my story of triumph over a disease. God was able to use me as his vessel to get his word out to a people who just doesn't want to talk about it or are misinformed.  Either way I am sent to shed light on a disease that we as a people are affected by whether we talk about it or not.  It doesn't make it go away.  A matter of fact, the sooner you talk about it the faster you can conquer it.  Ignorance is not bliss...its dangerous!  What you don't know...WILL and CAN hurt you, if you don't do something about it in time.  So lets take the blinders and the fears of cancer OFF!!!  Whatever strives and manifests in the dark masters YOU!!  Lets take the power from this disease and give knowledge to our people dying from it.  Without A Vision People Parish!!!

Okay Breath in .....Breath OUT!!!

Is it just me or does it seem like this month is flying by.  Maybe its me.  I know that this is the last month I will be in Austin....well, living in Austin that is.  I am planning two big events here before I go.  I am planning a Benefit Party for the support group I started for cancer survivors for women of color.  This support group is to celebrate life after diagnosis. Cancer survivors need encouragement. Sometimes we are up and then sometimes we allow things to get us down...oh wait a minute that is everyone's struggle.  Praise God for like minds in this rat race called life.  We are all trying to do right by God and we all want to please HIM(at least we should). So hats off to F.A.C.E.S!!! What does that stand for you ask? It stands for Faith and Acceptance in Christ Experiencing Survivor-Ship. Oh yea, the other major event is a garage sale. LOL!! I have to get rid of my stuff. I am selling EVERYTHING!! I want to start fresh and new in Dallas.  Is Dallas ready??  I think not!! SMILE its contagious!!

Had to Stop.....Think.....and Remember.....

Oh boy, I had to check myself yesterday.  I am so glad that this is a new day.  I feel like I have to share with you what happened.  This might be a little gross to the guys that are reading but just bear with me. This month has been a little different for me for some reason.  I have been a little more tired than usual, but I really didnt think anything of it.  I would just sleep a little longer for a nap. What WAS alarming me was the fact that I am bleeding.  Now remember how I use to be with the sight of blood, well now we are on the same page.  So I look at the calendar and it is just time for my cycle, so I am thinking okay MonaLisa don't trip your body is getting back to its normal state....having a menstrual period.  I am thinking that the enemy is trying to scare me because he knows my fears and he is here to steal....kill...and destroy whether that be your body, your dreams, whatever.  So, I just had to stop and think of the goodness of God and what he has done for me and what he has brought me from.  MonaLisa stop trippin.  You know what God can do and what he has done in your life.  Praise God for the moment I snapped back to the Goodness of God.  BUT GOD....is what Paul said.  THANK GOD FOR the DELIVERANCE.

I FEEL GOOD....(music)..LIKE I KNEW I WOULD!!

Done with the red drug for right now. One more three day session coming on August 16-18.  I am so excited to be doing the move and doing MONA LISA all at the same time. I am praying for this continuing charge of energy each day I wake up in the morning. I am in love and it feels so good. He not only loves me but he is the lover of my soul.  You cant get any better than that!!! He wants the BEST for me and He is willing and able to give my ANYTHING I want.  He makes me feel good all over.  I want to be with him all day long.  I know his schedule is busy but he seems to always be able to give me my quality time.  Just me and him. He makes me feel like I am the only woman on earth. He laid down his life for me. Man, let me stop because I am starting to miss him already.  So, let me cut this one short....I am going to spend some time with him right now.  Talk to you soon!!!

How did Hughy Lewis and the News Sing It???

I got a NEW DRUG!! Today I started a new chemotherapy drug.  Dont even ask me to pronounce it or spell it.  Well, come to think about it, it really isnt new to me.  I tried this particular drug in the very beginning of my first stage on accident.  The doctors prescribed it too early.  So, I know for a fact how my body will respond to it....FANTASTICALLY!!  Yep, I said it and therefore I believe it so that makes it true.  This will be my reality for 3 days.  That is how long I will be on this drug. This chemo drug is red so I call it the RED KOOL-AID. It helps my mind except it better and that helps my mind digest it smoothly.  Trust me it works.  So Mona Lisa, keep on trucking along and doing what God told you to do and everything will be alrite.  God Said It and I Believe IT!!!

On My Way To A New Begining!!!

Ready....Set.....GO!!! Okay, August is right around the corner and I am gearing up for my new life in Dallas Texas.  This takes me back to the first time I moved to Austin.  I knew a few people but hit the ground running on finding a job and learning my way around.  Well, here we go again.  I know a few people, ready to hit the ground running finding my way in Dallas and meeting new people. I am excited and nervous all at the same time.  I do have a few last things to take care of here in Austin though.  I have two more Doctor Appointments to attend to receive a different type of chemo and then after that he is talking about giving me a chemo oral pill to take for I dont know how long.  Matters not...my God is able and he said that all what I go through is to help someone else so I praise him for that.  Continue to keep the prayers coming people. God definitely hears them and he is having them FLOW my way.  My promise land awaits me!!!

Thinking Back....

I had a moment....or should I say some time to think back and look at what all GOD has brought me through thus far.  The first half of the year, I was going through my own roller coaster.  A diagnosis in January, Recovery in February, Living a totally different life in March and April, Started walking in the plan that God has for me in May and June, and now I am here in July getting ready to move to a new place to meet new people.  What a year so far!!  Before I climb out of my bed.... I say a prayer that God leads me and that I submit and do whatever he has me to do.  I don't have many pictures of all the things that I have went through but this is one I will never forget.  It humbles me and I don't ever want to forget how far God has brought me.  This is the infusion center where I was receiving chemotherapy everyday for 10 weeks.  What a memory....What a BREAKTHROUGH!!!

Hurray....Hurray...ITS MY LAST DAY!!!

Okay, I am so excited, I cant even contain myself!!!  Today is the LAST DAY OF IV CHEMO Treatments.  OMG!!! I am free from the IV!!! I still have two more sessions left but it is only a one day procedure.  I get to take the port out in September maybe even August.  Oh Man!!  I just want to take time out to Thank all the people who prayed and helped me through this situation.  I want to thank everyone who read and commented on the blog.  This blog was a release for me in many ways.  I am so Grateful.  For all of you who are still in the fight and maybe need a pick me up every now and then, I can only tell you what I did.... and it works......STAY THANKFUL, GRATEFUL, AND FULL OF JOY.  This helps in the rough times and its a real pick me up... when you are already on the mountain top.  Don't stop PRAISING GOD regardless...no matter what is going on in your life.  Keep GOD first in all things and even when you fall short and you will.....dust yourself off and pick yourself up.  Repent and GOD will forgive you and wash you white as snow.  Believe that with everything you got.  I Love and Thank everyone.  This is not the end.....THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING!!!

Home Stretch...

Alright...we are on the home stretch of this thing now!!  I am so happy!! I know that God is a good God not just because of what he has done for me but because of who HE is.  I have gone through 2 sessions of chemo.  This means 5 weeks every day except weekends receiving chemo.  All this without getting sick, nausea, headaches, and the list goes on.  My hair is growing back and everything.  I am starting to like it short though...LOL!  God knows the plan he has for us.  If the plan means going through the valley, he always gives you strength to endure.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  When you think...."This is the worst thing that could happen to me"...just stop and say to yourself...."He chose ME to go through it and on top of that, he is holding my hand and sometimes even carrying me.  Sweet as Honey!!

Two More Weeks....

I have two more weeks to go and I am taking it one day at a time.  God has been so good to me.  I talk to people around me in the infusion center where the chemo is given and they tell me about the side affects they have and I sometimes feel a little bad to share my recovery with them because I have not had any of the side affects that chemo usually tries to give people except hair loss and even that is growing back now.  I shouldn't feel bad...I should be shouting it from the roof tops.  God is Good and when you put him first as the leader of your soul, you cant go wrong.  His spirit wont let you.  God continue to bless me, I am not ashamed of the blessings you have bestowed on me. God you are so sweet.  His word says, "Test me and see."  He will not let you down.

I Am Not Alone.....

Just the thought of it makes me wanna cry.  I know that he has always been there and will be here for the rest of my life. God is my everything!  I have to admit something though.....I have been wanting a mate, a partner in life a lot lately but God keeps reminding me that those special times and moments of loneliness are for him.  Flesh wants someone to touch, to cry with, to hold me but God always whispers in my ear...That space in your heart is for me to fill, no one else.  So, my prayer now is SHOW ME YOUR FACE LORD....WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND ME LORD!  I love him so much.  Every time I pray that prayer he shows up.  RIGHT ON TIME!  I am not alone.....EVER!!!!

Keeping My Eye On the Prize....

Keeping my eye on the prize is sometimes hard to do or should I say easy to forget.  I just had a moment this week that made my freak out.  My little one ended up getting a bad cough and a fever from playing in the pool last weekend. Now, that sounds simple enough right? Well, I went into panic mode.  I thought about my health and what I couldn't let happen to me and I started buying all kinds of medicine for him.  I started making phone calls to family and friends to try and keep him for me.  Then suddenly I just said to myself, I have to take him to the hospital.  So, here we both are in the hospital with our masks on and sitting in the waiting room.  The doctor finally called us to the back.  He checked my son and then he looked at me and asked why was I wearing a mask?  I told him my situation and he said...Oh, that is nothing you need to worry about.  He is fine.  Just give him this medicine twice a day for the cough and these antibiotics if you like for any infections.  Then he told me in a quiet Doctor voice.....a fever isn't serious enough for what you have been through....if your son had chicken pox then I would worry.  After he said that, I said to myself, God did not carry me this far to let me go....I KNOW SO!!!  KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE MONALISA!

Trucking right a long....

Hello all!  I am updating you on the second week of the five week chemo session I am going through.  I decided to allow each day to take its on course.  Sort of like I did the first five weeks.  It seems to go better and faster that way.  I went to Dallas this weekend and basically confirmed in my spirit that that is where I need to be.  My little one was with us and he had so much fun.  I just have to continue to take my time and don't get to excited and anxious.  God's timing is the BEST timing.  Some folks that know me can pretty much guess how this is going to be a situation that will be won by Me allowing God to do what he does best....EVERYTHING!!!