The Game’s in OT

Well it’s been a minute! But never fear — I’m just over here still kickin’ it.

After surgery in September (remember that? That was fun.) I was given a cautious but hope-filled “NED” (no evidence of disease) declaration. But three more rounds of chemo and three months later a few cancerous lymph nodes popped up on my PET scan. Pesky things. As I write, I am headed to Houston where I’ll undergo targeted radiation for 6 weeks. This is a very specific and specialized radiation for my type of cancer, so off we go.  

You have no idea how good it felt to be (in my mind, at least) cancer-free for a few months. So to be back in the game is a little deflating. But a friend of mine who’s a high school football coach put a perfectly optimistic spin on it: nothing feels better than a victory in overtime after a hard battle fought in regulation play. Cue the confetti.

(Speaking of football, here’s a pic of Team Belinski at the Rose Bowl earlier this month. Some yahoos even did the whole shirtless cheering thing because when you’re raised in Aspen and it’s 65 degrees on Jan. 1 I believe it is required.)

I’ll be back and forth between home, the Chapel, and Houston for a few weeks but we all learned how to work from home in our jammies during the pandemic didn’t we, so I’ll be working remotely. Next Sunday is actually my official installation as Senior Pastor at Snowmass Chapel and I would love you to join if you’re in the neighborhood. Then we’ll have some outstanding guest preachers visiting on some Sundays, and its business as usual for our amazing Chapel staff and bevy of volunteers.

I’ve said it before and I will say it every chance I get: there are no better people to do life with than the ones at Snowmass Chapel. We got this. And remember….. But God.*

*If you’re in a dark place, google all the scripture verses that declare the words, “but God.” You’ll find stories of people who thought all hope was lost, but God had other plans. The worst things is never the last thing, friends.



18 responses to “The Game’s in OT”

  1. Charla,

    Your glass is far, far, far more than half full. Wonderfully worded coda at the end of this post…

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Cheering for you and te

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  3. Yah

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  4. Yah! Charla!! God has got your back!!! I am wearing my BUT GOD bracelet everyday!!! I love you….💗💗💗

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    1. Thank you Marie. Stay strong, you!

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  5. Dear Charla, keep on keeping on! Love to you during this next phase xoxo

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  6. Lifting you up in prayer dear Charla!

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    1. Thank you Heather. Sending a big hug to you and praying for your sweet family as well.

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  7. You are an inspirati

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  8. Romans 12:2-3
    And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

    Curiosity & SMC sermon 1/21/24 Rev.Dr. Mike Attas, lead me to explore the word ‘renewal’. Daily practice of servitude, even the smallest of actions, renews soul, strength & faithful steadfast Love.

    with Love and Prayers ~ Meredith

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  9. Dear Charla, Dispiriting it must be to receive this news, but your care team is on it pronto and all of us who care about you are collectively rallying spiritually inspired energy towards your healing. Thank you for knowing that we would all be wanting to hear every bit of what you are going through. Love the football picture of Team Belinski – those beautiful smiles!! Big warm hug, Susan and John

    >

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  10. Dear Charla, You’ll win this game in Overtime, with a kick right between the goalposts. Keep on Kicking. 🏈 A Great Big Hug, Ned

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  11. So proud of you… keep fighting the good fight! We will continue to pray for perfect healing and 0 cancer!

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    1. Thank you Meg. You guys are awesome.

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  12. donnawiedinmyer Avatar
    donnawiedinmyer

    Dear Charla:

    Great picture and inspiring email. Thanks for taking the time to bring us all up to date. I continue to pray for you knowing that you are in the Palm of God’s Hand! Jesus is hovering over you with his angels whenever you are getting treatments and talking to doctors. He knows you are tenacious and God-fearing and have so much passion for your faith that you will NEVER GIVE IN but rather, LET GOD AND LET GOD!

    I am excited to know that you will be here for your installation as Sr. Pastor on Sunday. Congratulations for lots of hard work being done to earn that honor. When we work hard for everything that we get in life I think that we appreciate it much more. Kudos to you.

    Much love and prayers coming your way,

    Donna

    NOTE: No need to respond. I know how busy you must be with Chapel business.

    Like

  13. Martha DiMeglio Avatar
    Martha DiMeglio

    God has this! Praying for victory in defeating cancer. Xoxo, Martha

    Liked by 1 person

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About Charla

In March of 2023 our dear Charla was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer which had spread to the lymph nodes. Charla is a beloved friend and pastor to so many. In an effort to keep all of those who care about her in the loop, and lighten the communication load that would inevitably fall on Charla and her family, we have established this blog. Please post your comments of positivity, prayer, encouragement, and inspiration on this site, or mail encouraging messages via snail mail.

Prior to this diagnosis Charla had tossed around the idea of starting a podcast. With a background in PR and TV, years of expertise teaching and writing on parenting and other topics, a Doctorate in Ministry from Duke University, and 13 years under her belt of co-pastoring and leading a church, Charla has a deep well of wisdom to draw from and “kick around” in conversation in a podcast setting. We can’t wait to “kick it” (slang for “hang out”) with Charla in the years ahead and hear her declare triumph over this diagnosis.

For now, we join Charla in solidarity, with love and constant prayer, as she kicks cancer out of her body.

Kick it with Charla. And lift her up in prayer.