God, please guide the leaders of the US, Israel, Iran, other middle East nations, Europe and any other nation involved with this war. I know that some travellers have got stuck in the Middle East due to the closures of air space. Help those travellers to get home. Protect civilians as this war continues.
I want to ask You to bring our troops home safely but I think I should pray for the well being of all combatants. They are all fighting because it is what our governments have ordered them to do. In other circumstances, they could be friends. War sucks for everyone involved.
Please reassure everyone involved in this war that you are with them. Please bring peace to the Middle East. I just want the suffering to end. Amen.
One Lira from Israel Half Lira from Israel
I collect coins from foreign countries. I like to be able to hold things from all over the world.
5 Rials from Iran
This is my next entry in the photo a day challenge for the American Cancer Society. Yesterday’s photos were a thanksgiving for being taught to read.
This is day one of the daily photo challenge with the American Cancer Society. My church is on the second Sunday of lent. As part of lent, they put out two blessings bowls. I couldn’t find much on the practice on Google but I am excited by the idea. I like to give people stuff but I am too shy to do so. This is why I enjoy painting rocks and leaving them places during the better weather seasons.
Twice in my life, I have had concerning results to a mammogram. Fortunately, both were benign but it caused me to think about what it must be like to have breast cancer.
My first concerning mammogram was a few years before the pandemic. They found something in my left breast and recommended an ultrasound aided biopsy. On the day of the procedure, the doctor explained that it would be a biopsy or a cyst aspiration depending on what they found. He ended up sucking a clear fluid from the cyst and leaving a metal marker. I was so relieved that it wasn’t cancer that I took a walk around town looking into shop windows and listening to my brain repeatedly say, “I don’t have cancer.” I wanted to tell everybody. I think I might have told a stranger at Walmart too.
During the pandemic, I developed a breast infection and had a core needle biopsy but I never believed that cancer was possible. My general practitioner wanted to “rule out cancer” before prescribing an antibiotic. So, I never worried about having cancer for that one.
The second mammogram of concern was this January.
Biopsy prep information and results glossary
This time the biopsy was guided by mammogram images. It was called a stereotactic biopsy.
When I arrived, I was taken to a consultation room and met the doctor who read my mammogram and was going to do the biopsy. She was a young woman. I had read the mammogram report which used a BI-RAD scoring scale of 4b. 4b means that there is a 10 to 50% chance of cancer. When I asked the doctor about my odds, she said 50%. I replied that I don’t like those odds. I signed the consent form and she called the exam room in order to see if they were ready for me. I saw a bed up in the air like a bunk bed with medical equipment under it where the lower bed would be. I climbed up and laid on my stomach with my right breast sticking through a hole in the bed. It felt strange because I usually go to sleep on my stomach in a similar position. My rib cage below my right breast felt uncomfortable. Here is a website describing the procedure. I worried about the cost even though I knew that I needed to know what was causing the micro calcifications. I predicted that it would be in thousands of dollars. Since the biopsy was on Friday, I had to wait over the weekend for the results. For me, that was a long weekend but Monday felt longer. I worked while distracted which caused a few air headed moments. I kept checking my online chart during every break and saw nothing. When I finally got home, the results showed up in my chart. I printed it out and read it over and over. I thought it was benign but it didn’t say anywhere. It just said what the sample was. Then, the call came and they said it was benign. I grinned all day at work the next day and wondered how much it would cost me and my insurance.
In February, I got the bill. The total was 12,000 dollars. My insurance paid 9,000 dollars and I paid almost 3,000 dollars.
Breast biopsy cost
This experience got me thinking about what it might be like to have breast cancer. During the weekend awaiting the results, I Googled a lot of stuff on breast cancer which caused Facebook to start sharing stuff about breast cancer. I started thinking that I had it as a way to mentally prepare. I was planning to talk to my pastor and update friends and family with the news. Yet, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to need surgery followed by radiation treatments like my friend’s doctor had recommended to her when she had breast cancer. She went with surgery without radiation. How much would all of that cost? Who would guide the patient and her family through all of the medical terminology?
Facebook shared a photo a day challenge from the American Cancer Society. Since I love photography and got a crash course on breast biopsies, I joined the challenge. Here is my fundraiser page. I will post my daily picture on this blog and update my Facebook periodically during the challenge. Please share your experiences with cancer and/or the American Cancer Society.
I checked the charity navigator website and saw that the American Cancer Society got the highest rating possible.
Sometimes, I get adventuresome and want to try something that I have never had before. This week was one of those weeks.
The first thing that I tried was Dubai style chocolate. I found it in the clearance section and thought it was discounted. After I got home, I noticed that it was over five dollars for it.
It tasted like a chocolate bar with a crunchy filling to me. I couldn’t detect any different or interesting flavors.
The next food that I tried was a boba tea without the tea. I have been wanting to see what boba tea was but don’t like tea. I asked if they had something without tea. She agreed to substitute lemonade for the tea. When I got my drink, I was fascinated by the extra wide straw until I dipped it. I discovered the idea of boba pearls! They are tasty bubbles with juice in them.
I had to go home so that I could suck the juice in order to see the pearls.
Lastly, I tried Mexican chocolate. It was a spicy chocolate. It had cinnamon in it. The Internet said that Mexican hot chocolate tastes similar.
Have you tried any foods that you have never had before recently?
What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?
I have trained four people at work. I have always been afraid of hurting or killing another human by accident as my worst fear.
I realized this during COVID-19. I had COVID and needed to go get some toilet paper out of the trunk of my car. So, I left my apartment building during the day and feared getting near another human. I snuck out and down the sidewalk with no humans in sight. I walked a block to the city parking garage. I heard a door close above me and my heart raced with fear. I hesitated and then entered the closed in stairs to the second floor. I have never forgotten that moment in January of 2021.
This fear is why I have always feared driving. I just didn’t realize that the fear of harming or killing another is the base of most of my fears. I can handle it if I screw up my own life.
Now, I am nervous that I will hurt my trainee’s ability to do the job by forgetting to teach her something. I know that I will admit my mistake and work to fix it when I become aware of it.
How does one learn to make decisions for others? Leaders have to be comfortable making decisions that will impact others. I want to become a leader. But, it scares me to take on more responsibility.
Every year, I set New Year’s resolutions and fail them by February. I try to focus on different aspects of my life.
Religion/spiritual growth.
Growth as an employee.
Relationships with others.
My well being.
What areas of your life do you want to work on in 2026?
In my Christian life, I want to maintain short devotional times during breakfast. I sometimes run out of time when getting up for work. But, other times I am listening to a YouTube video. Right now, I am reading a devotional from my church. I hope to return to reading my harmony of the gospels in the evenings. I will probably grab a devotional from church for the mornings.
At work, I am working on becoming a department lead. I have helped train three people so far at work.
Every year, I set a goal of spending more time with friends. Yet, I slip into my introverted love of being home alone. I plan to write more letters to my family and friends. This makes me feel connected without the constant worry that I will interrupt them by calling them or asking to spend time with them. Although, I want to try to do more calling them and spending time with them. I just know that I will talk myself out of it at times. So, I want to try writing letters because I have a collection of blank cards.
I would love to learn Spanish and find more ways to stand up for democracy and help others too. But, I am uncertain what opportunities to help others will show up in 2026. I will pray for those opportunities, the ability to recognize them and guidance on how to respond.
I want to lose weight but I am not sure if I am willing to put in the effort. I find the constant battle with my sweet tooth, tendency to eat when bored and love for food to be exhausting.
“We are showered every day with gifts, but they are not meant for us to keep. Their life is in their movement, the inhale and the exhale of our shared breath. Our work and our joy is to pass along the gift and to trust that what we put out into the universe will always come back.” Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
God gives us gifts so that we can use them to help or bless others. There is a line that says,”Blessed to be a blessing.”
“Generous God, among the trappings of this season, grant us wisdom to receive the gifts you bring. Help us share those gifts with those in need. Amen. Humble and Holy: Devotions for Advent & Christmas 2025-2026
Advent is the time that leads into the Christmas season. We use this time to prepare for the coming of Christ through his birth. The church year is a way to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“I believe we also light [Advent candles] as symbols of a world we imagine to be possible when Jesus comes to earth-a world where hope,peace,joy and love will reign.” Callie E. Swanlund, From Weary to Wholehearted.
The world looks so peaceful from space. If only it was peaceful for real
It feels like peace in our world is impossible. Israel fighting Palestinians. Russia fighting Ukraine. I am fighting with myself on whether my country, the USA, is at war with Venezuela right now. I want to give my nation the benefit of doubt but I suspect that we want oil and rare earth minerals.
My church shared this song in a devotional email.
Let It Be In My Heart by Liturgical Folk
REFRAIN Your word, O Lord, isn’t hard to hear; It’s hard to take to heart. Your call is open; it’s clean and clear To those who play their part.
VERSE 1 If you should send your Angel to pass along your word, Or should it be a quiet little bird, Let it be, let it be in my heart As it is in your will.
VERSE 2 Don’t want to be like Sarah, laughing under breath, Nor Gideon, who tested what you said. Let it be, let it be in my heart As it is in your will.
VERSE 3 Like simple Ananias, may I trust your plan, Then answer with a brimming, “Here I am.” Let it be, let it be in my heart As it is in your will.
VERSE 4 Now may I with Mary hear your call today, And, though I am afraid, clearly say, Let it be, let it be in my heart As it is in your will.
My church did a skit of Joseph talking to a female friend about his decision to marry Mary while knowing that she is pregnant with God’s child. The Joseph character expressed a willingness to obey and make room for God to do His will. So, this song went really well into our church service.
Today is Christmas eve.
“Jesus came to earth in humility, which centers those who have too long been at the margins. What does it mean to focus on those who are left behind, powerless, suffering, or invisible? We may be called to enter spaces that are uncomfortable or unfamiliar. We might be invited to listen to voices that we have overlooked.” Humble and Holy: Devotions for Advent &Christmas 2025-2026 by Augsburg Fortress
This feels like a wonderful quote for me to ponder while I enjoy time with the family and await the celebration of the birth of Christ. Merry Christmas to my readers.
“King Herod was not prepared to accept a new king of the Jews. Is there a truth you do not wish to acknowledge? What truth could empower you and others?” Humble and Holy: Devotions for Advent & Christmas 2025-2026 by Augsburg Fortress
It saddens me that Republicans and Democrats can’t even agree on the facts any more. I don’t see how to debate politics when we can’t agree on the facts.
My Republican friends and family trust news sources that I suspect are lying. While, they think that my fellow Democrats and I are being lied to.
I have prayed to God that He will help all of us in the US to see the world and our nation in the way that it is rather than what we think it is. I just realized that I should be asking God to give us the strength and wisdom to be able to handle this knowledge.
Dear God
My heart breaks as I read news about fellow citizens and residents suffering in my country. I have been proud of my nation’s generosity for most of my life.
Now, I feel like our hearts are closing ourselves off from our neighbors. We are viewing each other as terrorists, traitors or evil. Yet, we all love this nation in our own way. Help us to see people who we disagree with as people rather than something to hate.
Please help us to see the truth about our nation and its relationships with other nations. I believe that the truth will help free us from this hatred that is running rampant in our nation. Grant us the strength to be able to handle the truth no matter how different it may be from what we think the truth is. Once we know the truth, guide us on how to respond to and act on that truth. Amen.
I am reading a devotional for Advent and Christmas. Here is a quote full of hope.
We may live through difficult, even oppressive, times when it seems that suffering in our world will never end. The birth of Jesus is a reminder that his reign of peace is the only kingdom that endures.
We can find comfort in communities of faith that acknowledge the suffering in our world, find strength together to endure, and receive hope and courage to work for that reign of Christ that is eternal. Humble and Holy:Devotions for Advent &Christmas 2025-2026 by Augsburg Fortress
I recently read The Lombardi Rules by Vince Lombardi, Jr. While the book was a short and easy read, I found a few good quotes. The book is intended to guide new leaders.
“Most important, character is a series of decisions and choices that you make as you grow and mature. Character is not something that is handed to you; it must be forged through years of hard work and discipline. It is the culmination of years of choosing to act one way rather than another, of choosing truth over deception, respect over arrogance, compassion over cruelty.” (Pg.18)
While at work, I have told people that character takes a long time to build but destroying it is fast.
Monarch butterfly
I chose a butterfly to signify the journey of building character. A butterfly starts as a caterpillar and becomes a butterfly in secret just as we build character outside of the eyes of others.
“Great achievements require courage, determination, drive, and a willingness to pay the price.” (Pg. 35)
I question whether I am willing to pay the price. I prefer not to work overtime at work. I give my all when at work but I rarely stay late. I want to become a lead for a small work group some day.
“Even if you don’t feel you’re getting the visibility you deserve, continue to hone your skills and demonstrate your competence. Years of obscurity gave Lombardi the chance to improve his technique.” (Pg. 70-71)
This quote makes me think of the value of being faithful.
