Mountain Climbing

Mountains? We all have to climb them....they maybe personal, financial, spiritual, trouble within our families-broken relationships, hurt feelings-i could go on and on. What is the mountain in your life today? Is it something that is too big for God to handle? Are we letting God handle it or are we really staying involved and trying to solve it ourselves?
My journey of a thousand steps as the song states started for me in July of 2004. Rather than go into all the details surrounding my circumstances, I would like to share with you a time line of the mountains that have taken place in my life:
Married in July of 2003 at the age of 35
Diagnosed with massive Schwannoma Brain Tumor in July of 2004 before my 1 year anniversary
Had my first tumor removal in Nov of 2004 (this surgery caused alot of complications including-hearing loss, loss of proper speech, loss of writing skills, tongue swollen outside of my mouth, could not walk, lacked fine motor skills and was being fed by a feeding tube) Total time to recover from this surgery was approx. 2 yrs
2nd tumor removal in Nov of 2006- This was a very big surgery but had fewer complications. Things I like to remember were having a shaved head that I could really get into and developed an accent in which people thought I was from another country!
Returned for my 6 month check in April of 2008 only to find the remainder of the tumor was aggressively growing
so in May of 2008 I underwent an 81/2 hr surgery and started leaking brain fluid out of my ear where they had just reconstructed a man made ear drum
in June of 2008 they gave me a spinal drain in hopes of stopping the leak NOPE
Later that same monthI had to have my rt ear permanently sealed
released to go home, but started leaking BF out of my nose
tried several ways to stop the leak but eventually back into the hospital for another spinal drain which this time fixed the leak
however I developed MRSAwhich is a severe staff infection then
Due to complications I had to have my rt eye permanently closed
July 28th of 2008 went back for a post MRI onlt to find another brain tumor had formed from the remaining cells from the prior surgery on my brain stem. All in just 6 weeks
July of 2008 had surgery again to remove what they could. Had to leave some behind, it is inoperable.
In Sept 2008 I endured 6 wks M-F going to Cleveland for radiation to confuse the cells of the tumor to slow or stop their growth sofar that has worked! PTL
Went through 6 wks of severe depression-stayed in bed, did not bathe regularly, did not want to talk to anyone, could not keep anything down, lost 80 lbs was JUST NOT ME
In March of 2009 these complications led to being placed with a brain shunt to control the amount of fluid on my brain
Finally I thought my troubles were over but in May of that year while at a follow up appt I experienced a stroke. I am however thankful it stopped at my mouth. It somewhat affected my speech and my full potential to sing but not my vision since I only had one eye to start with.
Enough already right? Well God says he will not give us more than we can bear?Let me just add a few more things into the mix of things!
Lost my Mother-in-law
Lost my Father-in-law
Lost 2 nieces and a nephew on Randys side to Suicide
I went through 3 jobs
Randy went through jobs
The failing health of my parents
My husband was diagnosed with cancer and off work for 1 year
The recent death of my husbands brother July 14 of this year
"I dont know how you have done it" you might say
I say "Trust" John H. Sammis (1846-1919) wrote the beloved hymnn "Trust and Obey for there is NO other way to be HAPPY in Jesus than to Trust and Obey!
Ive often asked why- and I believe it was to teach me personally what it is to fully trust Him and not try to be in control an itty bit, to fully turn it over, let it go, and to become a servant putting others above myself and before my own troubles. I have found staying invested in others leaves me less time to think about myself. And though I dont sing that well, I have a song in my heart to share-And most of all to be an encouragement to others.
If we put our full Trust in Him according to Romans 8:28 "All things work together for those who love the Lord."
So I ask you again What is your mountain today?Is it something too big for God? I dont think so...Just turn it over to God, Dont try to scale the mountain on your own, crossover it with the Lord and let it be just a hill! He will be faithful to us. As it says in James 1:2-4
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy,because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance;and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. My desire is to be known as a spiritual person full of the Joy of the Lord,and to be an encourager of others. So in closing I will close with a chorus from a favorite song:
He's been faithful
Fathful to me
Looking back His love and Mercy I see
Though in my heart I have questioned
Even failed to believe
Yet He's been faithful, faithful to me.