Sewing for Tata's

"Sewing for Tata's"

Just wanted to update everyone on my "Sewing for Tata's" ministry. I now have 5 volunteers to sew and I have had 4 sewing machines donated!! We had our first sewing group last month and basically the majority of the time was trying to help me try to figure out how in the world to sew!! Everyone else are VERY experienced. They were so nice and patient with me. I just really enjoyed myself. 

It takes 3 yards of material to make one gown. I put this info out to everyone and did not have a great response. SO, I started praying and talking to the rest of the group and here is what I have decided. This is basically my dream. I want to share it with you. Below is what I hope to grow this ministry into.

1. I would LOVE for this ENTIRE ministry to be ran on 100% donations.
2. I would like to make www.feelthetatas.com a website that has a link to my blog. On the website I would really like to offer pillows for women to use after mastectomies, bandanas/doo rags, hospital gowns with "www.feelthetatas.com" in the label as well as pockets on the inside and outside of the gown. The pockets on the inside will hold drain tube bulbs and you can't even begin to imagine how helpful this would be for patients!! 
3. I would like to start something like TOMS. Anyone could go to the website and purchase a hospital gown. It would be a buy a gown give a gown to a breast cancer patient. Same on the bandanas.
4. I would also sell Breast Cancer items. When I was diagnosed, I couldn't get enough pink or enough pink ribbon items!

In order to do all this I am going to need some major help!! Do you feel led to help me in this endeavor? If so, PLEASE contact me!!!! Below are some things I need.

1. Any advice on obtaining a copyright for...."www.feelthetatas.com and for "sewingfortatas"
2. Any advice for obtaining a 5013C
3. It will take 18" X 18" - 36" x 36" piece of fabric to make a perfect size bandana/doo rag.
4. It will take, I am guessing about a 16"x 16" to make the pillows. I will give each patient two pillows.
5. It takes 3 yards to make a hospital gown.
6. We can always use extra off white thread.
7. We use double fold bias tape or grosgrain ribbon. As much as we can get!
8. I can also use extra sewing machines and extra sewers!!
9. Any material donation we can get and as soon as possible would be a HUGE blessing!!!!!

That is all I can think of for now. PLEASE e-mail me with any ideas you have or if you want to help out in any way. I would greatly, greatly appreciate it!!!!! kelley@feelthetatas.com

Love to you all!! Sorry for the inconsistencies in blogging and keeping it updated. I am back on track!!!!

Kelley

Judging

Kelley says.....


The absolute BEST way to not judge is to have a different perspective. I mean.....really think about it. To judge someone is to selfishly think about things from you own perspective and "judge" that person accordingly. The word says that GOD and GOD alone is our vindicator. 


Psalm 17: Jesus is our Vindicator

Have people ever misjudged you? Have you ever felt betrayed by those who are in your very own family? God has been putting this on my heart lately for some reason: Jesus is our Vindicator. No matter how dark a situation may seem, know that God is there, and He will deliver those who trust in Him. If God be for you, who can be against you? Remember what happened to David? Saul kept persecuting Him, but the Lord was David's deliverer! Saul eventually died and David became King of Israel. God knows how to turn things around in your life.
Here is the Psalm which I feel will give many comfort, knowing that whoever is against you -- there is a God who is for you!

Jesus is my VINDICATOR! Confess that to others, and pray this prayer knowing that God will deliver you from those who have oppressed you!
I have been hearing this in my Spirit over and over again so strongly that I just had to share this with you:

Psalm 17 (New International Version)

Psalm 17
A prayer of David.
1 Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea;
listen to my cry.
Give ear to my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.

2 May my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.

3 Though you probe my heart and examine me at night,
though you test me, you will find nothing;
I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.

4 As for the deeds of men—
by the word of your lips
I have kept myself
from the ways of the violent.

5 My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

6 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer.

7 Show the wonder of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings

9 from the wicked who assail me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.

10 They close up their callous hearts,
and their mouths speak with arrogance.

11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,
with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.

12 They are like a lion hungry for prey,
like a great lion crouching in cover.

13 Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down;
rescue me from the wicked by your sword.

14 O LORD, by your hand save me from such men,
from men of this world whose reward is in this life.
You still the hunger of those you cherish;
their sons have plenty,
and they store up wealth for their children.

15 And I—in righteousness I will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. 

In Isaiah 54:17, the Lord says the weapon will form, but it won’t prosper, and that EVERY tongue that rises up against us, WE will condemn.  Every tongue or every word means just that!  This includes every lying word, every derogatory word, every false rumor, every condemning word, every ridiculing statement, every bad name, and the list goes on.  Before I proceed, I just want to give a different translation to the same Scripture above:

But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed.

You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you.

These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord;

Their vindication will come from me.

I, the Lord, have spoken! Isaiah 54:17 (NLT)

Without believing God's word, that it is the truth, we have no hope. I choose this day to believe the He and HE alone is my vindicator!!

My new fave song- Dedicated to all of you

Kelley says...........


When I was younger, I would see other women in church who loved the Lord so much. They seemed so wise, so strong in the Lord, so "perfect". I wondered how in the world someone came to know the Lord in that way. I would worship God, I would pray, I would read the word and do devotions to no avail. I loved God. But I didn't have what they appeared to have. 


I work on staff at a church. Now it seems I am on the other side of all that. I know people who don't know those of us on staff us have thoughts that we are untouchable, we are perfect and have it all figured out. I'm guessing there are people who like me wondered how you get to know God so well and love him so deeply. Let me just tell you that if you ever feel like this or have these thoughts that they are straight from hell. I look back at those ladies and the discovery I made about them is that they not only knew God so well but they also knew their enemy.


I'm sure people love God. I'm sure there are "good" Christians. You know, go to church on Sunday's, don't commit murder, their "good" people so their good, right? Well, what I have discovered is that I am now the person who loves God SO deeply and that he is my everything. And the enemy has tried to take EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING from me in my 41 years of life. He has taken a child from me. He has taken a parent from me. He has tried to take my life and is now trying to take more. I thought after Deryl lost his job in 2009 that nothing could be worse than that. Then in 2010 when I got cancer I said to myself that I wouldn't dare say it couldn't get worse. As it turns out, it doesn't matter if you say it or not. If you are doing God's work and you are reaching out to others.....if you are seeking God with all your heart and being obedient to him, you better watch out. This isn't a game and definitely no walk in the park. If you truly want to be "ALL IN" for God you are going to HAVE to pay a price.


I don't feel like I can go into what is going on in my life right now on a public forum but it looks like I put my boxing gloves up a little too soon. I feel like if you are a sold out believer, you better put those gloves on and KEEP them on. The enemy is out to kill, steal and completely destroy. And he will stop and absolutely NOTHING to accomplish it. So if you have ever looked at me or read my blog or felt those feelings about someone else and wished you could have their looks, job, kid's, marriage, their life because you have them on a pedestal, think again. Most likely they have been to hell and back many times. Most likely they are either currently IN the ring fighting or the bell has just rung and they took a quick breath and are right back to fighting the next round. If you see someone you aspire to be like, PRAY. PRAY with all your might for that person because they didn't become that overnight. Boy would it be so much easier to just live a life that was completely selfish. Just do whatever I wanted whenever I felt like it without any concern if I was living God's way. 


Funny thing is, I have been studying the book of James every single day this year. Right from the start it says to count it all joy when you go through trials and that it is building character in you and making you able to handle anything that comes your way. I know it isn't by accident God lead me to read this chapter and commit to reading it all year. But come on already, when do I get a break. I think maybe it is selfish of me to want a break. Jesus didn't get one. Who am I to expect anything more than the one who paid the ultimate price. 


I can't make it alone. I know people prayed for me regularly last year and maybe you thought all is well and haven't prayed anymore. Prayer warriors, I am asking you to pray for me and my family like you have never prayed for me before. I have had a recurrence. Not physically, but emotionally and an attack on my family like I have never endured before to this degree. Please pray for God to give us wisdom and for a hedge of protection around us. That God would give angels charge over us and that he would go before us as he says he will do in his word in Deuteronomy 31:8...."The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Clear vision

Kelley says......................


For most of my life I wore either contacts or glasses to see. About 6 years ago, I had Lasik surgery. My vision was so bad that I was right on the border of my eyes being too bad to even having the procedure done. They told me going into it that I could possibly have to get it done twice. Well, they were right. I had to have it done a second time 1 year later. It was great for about 2 more years and then I could tell my vision was no longer clear and sharp. 


Last year I got glasses to wear at night because I could no longer drive at night. They worked great but I have always hated wearing glasses. The more I wore them, the more I realized how much I needed them. So last week, I decided to just go ahead and go get contacts. I found myself getting really bummed out. I mean, I have a really weak stomach and Lasik surgery is really gross. The thought that I had gone through this two times and here I am having to get my vision corrected with lenses was just really frustrating. 


But as I looked for another perspective I thought of what a miracle it is that I "can" see. I may not see 20/20 but I can see. If there was an emergency in the middle of the night and I didn't have time to grab my glasses or put on my contacts, I "could" drive if I had to. I can go to the pool or the water park and not have to worry about glasses or contacts ever again. When I wake up, I can see my alarm clock. My vision was so bad before Lasik that I couldn't do any of these things before. What a blessing!


As I started pondering these things I started thinking about this past year. How although I went through so much physically and emotionally, I am so radically changed spiritually. Someone told a breast cancer patient about me and we connected on the phone last night. Unfortunately, this ladies cancer has metastasized to her bones and it is just not a good situation. But I was able to talk to her for over an hour on the phone and hold it totally together. It was such a good feeling for me to actually be a support for someone else. When I first ever thought about helping other women I never saw myself reaching out to people who I know will die from this disease. But then God really convicted me that I could help any woman at any stage of this terrible disease  because if they have the Lord, they have hope. I just kept holding onto that during our conversation. 


No matter what you might be facing, cancer or disease/sickness, divorce, debt, whatever it may be, if you have God......YOU HAVE HOPE!! Sometimes life can seem so overwhelming and sometimes like life would be so much easier on the "other side". Sometimes we get so stuck in the now that that is all we can focus on. It is during those times when we have let our thoughts take control of everything. If this is you, catch yourself.........STOP IT! And know that your hope can only be found in God.

It's a new day

Kelley says..........


I am so glad to report that I am doing SO much better. I received another brand new sewing machine!! My first day to start sewing gowns will be Feb 5th. I'm so excited to get started.


When I was first diagnosed, a friend of mine from church told me about her sister who had gone through breast cancer and was just finishing up chemo. She gave me her e-mail address and we started communicating. She lives in Chicago. She helped me SO much throughout my journey. Well, as it turns out, she ended up having to go back and get a double mastectomy because she had a genetic test and it came back positive. So I was able to turn around and give back to her since I had already gone through that! It felt great to be a support to her after she had been such a big support to me.


Last weekend, she came down to Texas to visit her sister and me and my family got to go meet her!! It was such a cool thing. When we met it was like we had known each other our whole lives! God is just so amazing.


I had the opportunity to co-lead another Life-Coaching Workshop last Wednesday - Sunday. I love doing it and love working with such high level leaders. And I always get so much out of it too. But above all, it always amazes me that God completely delivered me of my fear of public speaking. Has to be one of the most miraculous things that has ever happened to me before. I think we all have so very much to offer the world and that we could accomplish such great things if it weren't for our own fears. Sometimes, we HAVE to just do it afraid!!


God sure knew what he was doing when he delivered me from that fear because he knew what was coming up in my future. God sees the BIG picture and we only see today. All the more reason for us to trust him fully with our tomorrows. I know sometimes "right now" doesn't make any sense to us. But we just have to remember that he has it all under control and just because he might not answer our prayers exactly the way we want him to does NOT mean he hasn't answered!!


I challenge each one of you to step out of your comfort zone and do something you are afraid to do. Even if it is something small. Baby steps will be a great start!!

Surviving

Kelley says...........


Well, it turns out that surviving isn't the cake walk I guess I thought it would be. Let me start out by reassuring you that I am okay. I don't blog as often as I used to. It seems like I blog in a highly emotional state. Whether it be high on life, an aha moment in my life, a really down and scary place, etc. Basically you either get the best of me or the worst. I think if you are a follower of my blog you know I am real to the core. I don't know how to be any other way. So just know that in between blogs, things are usually going pretty well. Things to blog about, moments of inspiration and such just don't come to me on a daily basis. I have to feel them deep within my own being before I am willing to share it with the world. 


This weekend was very tough. I hurt my husband emotionally in a pretty bad way. Something I am definitely not proud of. Saturday was definitely not good in the McElreath household. Things were bad enough that we didn't even go to church. If you know me personally, you know that was pretty bad. This hasn't happened to us in 17 years of being together so it was emotionally draining for all of us. On Sunday as we talked through all of it, I said to Deryl that every single thing that makes me a woman has changed. I thought I would welcome in 2011 and move on......next chapter. It is looking like that just isn't how it works for a breast cancer survivor and maybe not any cancer survivor for that matter.


What makes a woman a woman? Her hair, her nails, her breasts, her sexuality, among many other things. Due to either surgery, chemo or medication all of these things have been altered. And yet again, I can't imagine how my mom went through this with such a horrible husband. She basically went through the emotional side of it alone which continues to break my heart. I had absolutely NO idea. I guess though if you don't experience it yourself how could you know. How can anyone know the thoughts in your own head. No one but God can......NO ONE.


One thing I know for sure is that the enemy is out to kill, steal and destroy. And he will stop at nothing to accomplish it. As women, we already let our thoughts get away from us. And it doesn't take many that get out of hand before we spiral out of control. 

We see things from the lens of our past. I just have to keep reminding myself that if my thoughts are getting crazy, I have to step back and think....what from my past is causing me to think these thoughts about THIS situation? Am I reacting or responding? I don't know if this is helping you at all but it is sure helping me! 

When I think over what brought me to this point, I think it started creeping up when I would think about having to go in for my first 3 month check up.  That is coming up at the end of the month. It is just a reminder that I am a cancer patient. Before cancer, I NEVER had to go to the doctor. The thought of having to go see doctors and have lab work every single time for the rest of my life just doesn't sound appealing. I just don't like it. I so wish that I could just get a prescription and be fine. I'm still at a point where I feel like planning my life isn't in my own hands. But I guess it never was. 


But ultimately, if my blog helps other survivors know that they aren't alone and they can read it and feel "normal", I will have accomplished my mission in life. And in case you weren't aware, I am available for one-on-one support to ANY breast cancer patient you know or ever meet free of charge. I think the more I reach out to help others, the more I myself will heal. 


Kelley