Happy New Year 2016

Christmas came and went.  Well for many. Paul and I like to remember the 12 days of Christmas which go until January 6. It seems folks like to start with Christmas even before Thanksgiving. Then on December 26 they are tired of it already. What ever happened to the Holiday Season, going through New Years? The hustle and bustle of today's lifestyle.  
We are so busy with life itself that we forget about Who and what we are celebrating. It is Jesus' birthday. The day He came to save the lost. The day He came to bring hope into the world. He deserves to have His birthday celebrated for more than 1 day. Think about it. 
When the shepherds visited the Baby Jesus, it was days later. How about when Simeon held the Babe, lifted Him high toward heaven, and blessed Him. Days later. 
My point, during the full Christmas season, try to rest in the fact that Jesus was born for you and me. Not thinking of gifts to buy, parties to attend, etc. But just basking in the hope and love Jesus has for us. Allow Him to rejuvenate and refresh you. Let Him strengthen you. 
Maybe instead of making a New Years resolution that no-one seems to keep, let's agree to rest in the peace and comfort Jesus has for us. Take 1 day at a time. He is waiting with arms opened wide for you, for me. 
Let's give Jesus a birthday present, our heart. 

MATTHEW 11:28 “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
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Merry Christmas

It is Christmas week and everyone is busy shopping, getting last minute necessities, and so on. We would think that everyone would be happy, cheerful, and friendly during this special time. But where are the smiles and perky faces?  They seem hard to find. There can be many reasons that people have.
But simple truth- this should be the most wonderful time of the year for us. We should be happy, cheerful, and perky.  This being said let me tell you a bit more of my story.
Last week I told you of my spinal cord damage. I did have another surgery in 2011 to release the cord again. A few weeks later I had another surgery because the sac that houses the cord and spinal fluid ruptured. It was then I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
We all have various reasons why we may be sad during the Christmas season. But that doesn't mean you have to be. I fight for all it is worth to stay motivated, stay positive, and stay cheerful. How do I do this, as I said last week, reading the Bible, praying, and worshipping my Lord Jesus.
Yes, that is enough.  Our Lord promises that we will never walk alone, He will always be right by our side.
Now it is Christmas time, and I love Christmas. So this year I have thoughts of excitement and cheer. Then I have another tragedy. My Mom suddenly passed away in October. My Mom, whom taught me how to love, how to be so excited for Christmas. Together we baked cookies and more every year. We truly loved doing these things together. The past few years we could not due to her health and mine. But my wonderful husband told me he wants to help me bake our cookies. "Grandma cookies".
Sure I may tear up from memories. But these are happy memories I will always cherish.
Our son and daughter-in-law can not join us this year. Ok, another kink in my cheerfulness.  And my husband has to work on Christmas night. Well I admit, I was beginning to feel the disappointment.  But then I caught myself. WHO are we celebrating?   That's right, it isn't my birthday, it is Jesus' birthday. He was born this day to be our Savior. For me folks, this is reason enough to celebrate and be joyful.
There is so much tragedy in our world today. Let's all try to give ourselves a break from all that sad news. Let's be determined to be joyful and cheerful. Let's help each other stay upbeat. Let's remember who's birthday we are celebrating and why He was born.
Then let's take it a step further. If you see someone looking sad, maybe even grumpy, why not offer to pray for them. How about having coffee or tea with them. Let's help each other have that joy this Christmas.
Jesus, born in a stable, for you and I. That we may be saved. He brought us hope, love, peace, and comfort. He came to seek and save the lost, you and me.
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:10-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬
Merry Christmas,
Kathy

FINDING HOPE

Today I want to tell you a little of my personal journey and how I made it through.
It was October 1990, I was sent to Philadelphia to see a group of specialists because there was no physician near here that could determine my diagnosis. I had extensive nerve damage to various organs in my body, and my legs. My condition was worsening. The pain was unmanageable.
 We drove 5 1/2 hours to Philadelphia.
I knew I had many people praying for me.  I had peace that God would see me through this.
Then the diagnosis came- a "Tethered Spinal Cord". A WHAT?  What did this mean?
I kept hanging on to God's promise that He would take care of me. We went to meet with the neurosurgeon. She explains the surgery. But there were some things I needed to know. The surgery had been attempted twice on an adult. Neither survived. The surgery was not successful. At this point my emotions and fear were consuming me. I had a 6 yr old little boy at home.  I was not ready to leave him. I wanted to take care of him the way a Mom does. The surgeon went on to say the options. First, no surgery, I would surely die within a few years.
Next, I may not survive the surgery. Next, I may not walk again. Finally, I may get a little worse and then stay the same. She explained the surgery and what she thought. She was optimistic and encouraging. So we left to come home and try to make a decision.
I sat here one day, praying, asking God to help me through this. I remember crying, telling God I had lost my hope. I felt I had little faith left. Then trust came in to my mind. Do I TRUST God? Yes, I trust God. It was at this point I felt a peace over me, knowing others were praying for me and had faith for me. They had hope. I heard God say to me, lean on the strength of the others and their faith. I didn't even know how to pray anymore, but others were praying.
I still needed that hope. And I found it. Through the faithfulness of others, and through the Bible-God's Word, and through worship. I flooded my mind with His Word, and worship music.
Paul and I prayed and knew I had to have the surgery.
February 1991 I had the surgery. I went in knowing the Body of Christ had me covered. It took me a few months to recuperate, but the outcome I stayed the same. I SURVIVED!
You may be going through a tragic situation.  You may be wondering where God is.  You feel helpless. Trust me, you can have that hope, faith, trust. You don't have to walk through this alone. Reach out to someone who can strengthen you. Lean on them.
God is a faithful, loving God. He wants the best for you. Trust Him.
Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;”
‭Be hopeful,
Kathy

Microwave vs Slow Cooker

When you start your day do you first take time to talk to God?  Do you take a few moments to tell Him your needs for the day? Or do you start out in microwave mode?  Jump out of bed after hitting the snooze button five times, grab a breakfast you can cook in 20 seconds in the microwave, rush out the door, then finally in the car. Oops, you forgot to pray. OK, Lord, bless this day, Amen. 

Then the day falls apart at the start. You got a flat tire, you were late for work, you left important files at home. You cry out, God, where are you?  

Where is He, He's been by your side the whole time. Why didn't He answer your prayers?  You didn't ask Him. You were in microwave mode. 

God wants to be by our side, He wants a relationship with us. One that He can nurture, mold, flourish with us. One that is in a slow-cooker, getting tenderized, and seasoned. He loves us so much. When we do run into a hurdle, He is right there to help you over it. 

Psalm 130:1-2, 5

“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭130:1-2, 5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Hope in His Word. Wait on Him. Trust Him, hope in Him. He is faithful and will not desert us. 

This is where my hope comes from, and I hang on to that hope and God's promises for my life, and for my 

family

I want to be in a slow-cooker and not a microwave. Thank You Lord Jesus for never leaving my side. 

Welcome

Hello,
My name is Kathryn Pacco.  I would like to use this blog as a tool to encourage you all. I have quite a journey to share with you.  And at the same time encourage you. 
There is a way to go through life and it's ups and downs, remain encouraged, and keep faith in your life. My story has many of those moments. I made a choice many years ago to walk in faith, and at the same time go through the trials and hurdles of living with a chronic illness. 
Let me tell you about myself. When I was a teenager I developed some neurological problems. These symptoms progressed, eventually getting to an extreme after giving birth to my son. No Dr I had seen could give me a diagnosis. Eventually being sent to a major university hospital 5 hrs away. My diagnosis "Tethered Spinal Cord."  In a nutshell, my spinal cord is severely damaged. There is a host of complications and problems just from that. I may share some of those later on. I have had 3 major surgeries on the cord. The last surgery was 4 years ago. At that time I was also diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.   
With all of that said, I would have plenty of reason to get discouraged. But I try my best not to do that. My faith is in my Lord Jesus Christ. I stand on His promises, His love for my life. This is where my strength and my faith comes from. My God gives me the strength to persevere through the trials and situations that come my way. 
So I pray that my posts will encourage you and help you to find that faith and trust in our Lord Jesus. Sure we have days that are just plain hard to get through. But our attitude plays a large part in how quickly we can shake it off and get back on track. My prayer is that everyone who reads these posts will be encouraged. 
I cannot tell you it will be once a week or once a month or more often. I will write when the Lord has placed something on my heart. 
Thank you for taking the time to read this. 

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In Jesus' Name,
Kathy