Gentlewoman, Misti Irvin

There is this amazing song that my church plays at church called “You Are God”.  It is quite the song. Every time it comes on, it moves me to tears and I can’t help but get immersed in the lyrics because it does a great job of describing how big of a God we have. As I am typing these words, the lyrics are playing and I can’t help but find it fitting for my next Gentlewoman’s story.

Life can be beautiful, but it can also be quite tragic.  When tough times come, we have two options. (1) try and deal with it yourself and fail miserably or (2) call out to Him, and place the battle in his hands.  God has this wonderful way of working all things for good.  How?  Good question.  God is God and He can do immeasurably more than we can ever fathom or imagine.  He pours this peace into our lives that takes the burden of the situation and He powers us up with His strength to sustain us through any difficulty. And then he uses what was meant for our harm for greater good.  Lessons on lessons resulting in blessings on blessings on blessings. 

I am excited to introduce you to gentlewoman, Misti Irvin.  She is a beautiful soul that carries a light around her everywhere she goes.  I’m so glad to know her and I’m so happy I get to share her with you today.

 

For those people who don’t know you, can you share a little bit about yourself?

I am a 40 year old mother of two. I have been married for seven years to my amazing husband Jason. We have two girls, ages three and five. I love the outdoors and nature and I have a passion for animals. (Once, I almost went to Africa to volunteer with a baboon sanctuary, but then found out I was pregnant with my first child, so that halted that dream…for now at least!) I have been attending Fellowship Church for 15 years and serving at the downtown location for two years. I adore my friends and keep my friendships very close to my heart. And I hate black olives :0)

 

This is a special month because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  This hits home for you because you are a survivor.  If you wouldn’t mind, can you share your story with my readers about that day your found out you were diagnosed with breast cancer?

Sure! In February of 2013, my mother in law called us to tell us that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I thought to myself, “Man, it’s been awhile since I have done a self breast exam.” The next day in the shower I did one and felt something strange. It wasn’t like what they tell you it will feel like (it wasn’t like rice or marbles or a peas…it was more like my pinkie finger was sitting in my breast). I didn’t think much of it because I don’t have any family history of breast cancer. I called my OB/GYN the next day and they got me in immediately. Even then, my physician at the time was very reassuring (I was a 37 year old woman who had just finished breast feeding my second child just 4 months before), telling me it didn’t’ feel like cancer but he was sending me for a mammogram and ultrasound to be sure. I went to get my mammogram the next day and it came back clear-no cancer! So then I was off for my ultrasound…where they found two masses. At this point they couldn’t tell if they were cancerous, only that they were solid masses. Again, I wasn’t really worried. I do happen to have a family history of fibro adenomas (benign masses) and thought surely that is what this was. Two days later I went in for my core needle biopsy and that day, as I lay there getting my biopsy done, tears were running down my face. The physician asked me if she was hurting me, I replied no, that I was just scared…scared of cancer. That is when the physician, who was around my age, looked at me and told me “I’m worried for you too.” I knew then, that there was no way this doctor was going to tell me that if she wasn’t 110% sure that what she had just extracted from my breast was cancer. I literally couldn’t stand up afterward. I just crumpled to the floor in the room after they left. I walked out into the waiting room where my husband was waiting and then grabbed his hand and walked out the door, turned the corner and slid down the wall…complete disbelief and fear.

Going through any kind of illness, I am sure it can either break or build one’s faith.  How do you feel your faith played a part in your journey of recovery?

My faith was my saving grace – literally! All I can say about that time, and even now, is that it was a God thing. I never once questioned “why me” or got angry with God. I was scared and unsure, but never with Him. If anything, I feel thankful to Him for making me do that BSE when I did that led to me finding my cancer early enough that I could treat the cancer. I honestly feel grateful to Him. I firmly believe that it was His design for my dear mother in law to be diagnosed before me so that I could find mine. I tell her all the time she’s one of my angels.

I had so few choices, but my attitude and my faith was all I had. I choose to trust Him and His path for me and my family. I still deal with fear, but I am also learning to ask for prayers from others when I need them and also to ALWAYS reach out to Him.

 

 

I remember this one day – it was right around this time last year, in fact it was on your birthday.  Your husband was leading prayer for the volunteers in the worship center before service started and he said this beautiful prayer for you.  I didn’t know you or him very well at the time, but his prayer moved me to tears.  The words just flowed and flowed and I had honestly never heard a more beautiful prayer about one’s spouse before.  At the time, I also didn’t know that you had been diagnosed with breast cancer and I knew nothing of what you, your family or your marriage had endured.  That prayer will live with me forever because it was that special and moving.  To think back now on everything you and your husband experienced during your battle, what is one (or more) thing(s) that you would like to share with my readers on the beauty of light in the darkness?

2Cor 12:9 says “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This was one verse that got both my husband and I though this very scary time. We also made the decision to start serving at church. I had been attending FC for many years, but never got plugged in. I am telling you, after I completed chemo and was back on a regular schedule, there was NOTHING that did more for me than serving. As much as I hate cancer and I wish it had never happened to me, I wouldn’t trade the blessings that have come my way for anything. I also learned that cancer didn’t just happen to me. It happened to everyone I touched; my parents, spouse, kids, friends, siblings, literally everyone. There is a guilt that comes along with that. Although I didn’t choose cancer, the fact that I was making so many people have to go through so much because of me, it was awful for a while. But I finally realized that God has a plan for me and it’s bigger than cancer. He takes away the guilt and the sadness and helped me to see only the amazing gifts I was receiving because of this terrible cancer. Today is so much better in so many ways.

I also remember a sermon where Greg Rohlinger said “If you’re going through hell, don’t stop! Keep going.” That was very poignant for me at the time and even to this day.

 

 

How has church played a part in not only your life, but in your family’s life?

Well I touched on it earlier, but it’s played such a large role. From serving and now leading the worship center team, to the friendships I’ve made through Flavour and the wonderful ways I get to see and be a part of how God is changing so many lives. It just enriches us in ways we never would have dreamed of three years ago. Also, knowing that my little girls have a faith stronghold in their lives is extremely important to me.  I want them to grow up seeing that God is good and kind and faithful and that they can do anything and fight anything as long as they put their trust in Him.

 

 

I have to say that you are by far one of the sweetest, nicest and one of the most beautiful souls that I’ve ever met.  You always carry this peace with you and your light shines bright.  How has your relationship with God helped you through the dark times and the bright times?

Oh my gosh, that is such a high compliment coming from you. I would say the same thing about you! But to be honest, again, for me, that’s a God thing. He has placed in my wonderful feelings that I can do all things through Him and a feeling that my story is bigger than cancer. I want to help save peoples lives, both physically and spiritually. If someone can hear my testimony and feel like there is hope where none was before, then I feel like His glory is being lived out through me. That’s really all I want. I’ve had to tell myself that if I can help one person, then all this is worth it.

 

What is your favorite bible verse?  What does this verse mean to you?

Jeremiah 1:5. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…”

This spoke to me so much when I was going through cancer. It reminded me that He knew what He was doing with me. That I am special and that I am a child of God and that I deserve to have a plan too.

 

Who inspires you and why?

My dear friend Shelia Prophit. She lives in Baton Rouge and is the mother of a friend of mine. She is my other angel. She is a 13 year breast cancer survivor. When I was first diagnosed and scared out of my mind, she reached out to me and I had never even met her. She was a light in the darkness and is such an amazing woman of God. I know our paths were destined to cross and my life will never be the same having her in it. She is compassionate and prayerful. She is strong and also a very grateful woman whose love knows no end.  She reminds me when I need it (which is often!) that fear is not a thing of God, it’s got no place here. She reminds me that life can be amazing and that sometimes our answers to our prayers aren’t what were hoping for, but that they are HIS plan and that’s what faith is all about.

 

What do you think women in our generation need to hear?

That they need to simplify. It is so easy to go and do and never say no. But really, it’s just about my kids and my husband and my friends. The things I really need and want are the same. Put your phone down when your kid is performing in a school play. Aside from the video you will post on Facebook, you won’t watch it again most likely. But actually SEEING your child’s smile (not though the view of your iPhone) is what life is designed for, at least in my book.

 

What are you most proud of?

My kids. And the way this cancer diagnosis has led me to a more fulfilling life with Christ. My relationship with Him is solid and I feel so blessed. 

 

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