Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Today I am leaning on WORD!!!
We had a situation happen with my dad yesterday that has caused me great concern and I am speaking this Word over me again and again! I like the Message version, it says at the beginning....DO NOT PANIC!
We found out yesterday as well that my daughter has to have 4 wisdom teeth cut out today at 2:30! She kept my husband up most of the first night I was gone, in pain, and I called the dentist and he took xrays and found out that yep it was her wisdom teeth. The oral surgeon happened to have a cancellation (I say it was the Lord!!) So she was able to get in which was a good thing because her teeth are growing sideways and pushing on the other two and are impacted and would have had to wait until September to get them removed soooooo THANKYOU JESUS!! My husband will be wonderful with her, he is a wonderful nurse!!!
My mom also had surgery on her finger this morning but I talked to her and she is doing great.
Last night I just had to surrender all of these to the Lord, the Great Physician, their Father who loves them more than I and to lay them at the feet of JESUS and ask the Holy Spirit to minister to each of them in the way only He can.
This blog world has just absolutely amazed me. I have met some of the most amazing and precious people! Today I was blessed by Edie at richgifts! She made my dad a prayer button. We were sitting at the Mayo Clinic waiting to go into Dads treatment and I pulled up my friend Andreas blog and saw my dads prayer button along with two other men who are also needing prayer right now....Jim and Ron. Well, it brought me to tears and it touched my dad soooo deeply! I was like Dad....this isn't even my blog! He was SO moved!
My friend Andrea was so sweet to ask Edie to make this button for my dad and If I am not mistaken she also asked for Edie to make the other two! She has such a beautiful heart and always an encouraging word for those she visits so thankyou Andrea for your friendship and for being a part of this gift!
Edie has an amazing gift and uses those gifts to glorify the Lord and help those whom she doesn't even know. I am one of those people! I have been so humbled at the things in which the Lord has done. I shared with Edie how along this process the Lord has just shown His Faithfulness and whispered along the way "I am with you ALWAYS" and this button was just another one of those examples! Thankyou Edie for being an instrument of HIS love, of HIS faithfulness and for making such a beautiful button and to all who read it and pray.....THANKYOU!
There is a button on my side page if anyone would like to add it to their own blog as well. Thankyou so very much!
Wow! How can a week go by so quickly??? It seems like just yesterday I was getting in the car heading home with my kids! The week flew by and I cherished each day as a family, was able to spend some time with my step-daughter and grandaughter :) She is crawling everywhere, saying dada and mama too now and has the cutest silliest little grin you have ever seen....well I know I am biased but hey! :) My mom came over and spent the night because my husband had to go out of town so thought it would be a perfect way to spend some extra time with my mom. I was able to do her hair and we didn't go anywhere just enjoyed the day with one another and the kids! Saturday my honey took me on a date early and then we had some friends come over and had a GOOD PRAYER TIME and caught up with one another! On Sunday we had all of the family over, except my brother because he went to St Louis to enjoy a baseball game. We cooked out and it was a beautiful day and the Lord blessed our time so very much.
I returned to Florida today and was so happy to see my dad. He looks so darn cute with his hair gone and honestly looked so much better than I had expected. Each time I had talked to him last week he sounded awful and I was really scared. So seeing him as I got off the plane tonight was such a relief! I have to say the enemy was at work today ATTEMPTING to attack me with fear and anxiety to an extreme. I don't travel well alone anyway, but let's just say when I went to order a hamburger before I got on my connecting flight in Dallas and came out only to find they had moved my gate and I had 10 min. to get there and dropped my lunch and made a huge mess of ketchup, mustard, pickles etc all over I wanted to cry! Well, the enemy didn't win, never does and seriously the Lord just washed over me, then and there, I just laughed it off, picked it up, and moved on. Got to my connecting gate just in time to board and as I was walking to my seat I felt the Lord with me in a way that was so powerful. I can't even describe ~ it was just that Peace that passes ALL understanding and HE was with me. That is how He has been through this whole ordeal and I am humbled to the core!
I have to share this.....as we were driving to the airport my son says to me "MOM, when you skype (where you can talk to each other via the computer, seeing each other too) me one night I am going to turn the computer to the tv and put my arm around the computer (which will have my picture in it) and we will watch a movie together ok ??? Is that not precious??? He is soooo sweet! I am blessed beyond measure!
Well Kim over at Homesteaders Heart has asked us to share our most embarassing moment with you today! I have so many that it has taken me a bit to narrow it down :)
When I was newly married my kids had asked me to make some cupcakes. So I went to the grocery store and went to the aisle that I would find the ingredients. After searching and searching I got on my cell phone and called my mom and said "MOM, where do I find the cupcake mix????"
Have I EVER lived this one down??? NOPE! but guess what??? They now make cupcake mix :)
My other most embarassing moment was when we were attending a play at one of the nice theatres where, you know, everyone dresses up and all. So the play was over and we were exiting the building and I happen to notice a TV ANCHOR and told my kids "Look who is here!!!" As I was telling them and not trying to be loud or obvious, I turned around and POW! I ran smack into a pole with my FACE, FOREHEAD, NOSE! oh my! I never knew if the anchor saw me but everyone else in the auditorium did and my sweet family couldn't stop laughing!! They were sooo concerned ....NOT!!
Happy Friday everyone :) Please visit Kim for more embarassing moments
Today has been a day! Being home for such a short period I had many appointments to make and wanted to get the majority of them done in 1 day so that I wouldn't be away from the kids soooo....I was able to make most of them for today and left early this morning with my phone and my new kindle2.
As I mentioned a few days ago my sweet husband purchased this as a surprise for me when we returned from Florida. I tend to read quite a few books at one time and carry all of them in my purse! I am never sure what I will want to read... it depends on my mood. Right before I left for Florida I found out I have a tear in my rotator cuff and need to have surgery. So since that isn't possible right now my husband wanted to help lessen the load in my purse (he is soo very thoughtful, plus I have wanted one for quite a while too!)
Well, the kindle2 will do so many things ~ read to you, bookmark your pages, highlight passages for you, PLUS download a new book in 60 seconds for less than what I would pay at any Walmart, Sams or Barnes and Noble! Oh ya! Listen to this! IF you have an IPHONE, you can also download the KINDLE app and if you are reading a book you can click on that app and begin reading where you left off on your kindle!! Needless to say I REALLY like it! I have been impressed with their customer service to. The first night I had it, I downloaded a book by accident and didn't even realize it until I saw it on my online banking so I called and asked if it was possible to get a refund. Guess what? For any book I purchase I am allowed 7 days and if I decide to return it, no problem, just call and ask and they will gladly refund and remove it from your Kindle library! NICE HUH!
My husband researched all of the e-readers and after all that he read, it was confirmed that overall the Kindle2 was the best option and then Amazon had come down 100$ since they had released a new Corporate version.
It has been awesome so far and I know that when I have more time and am back in Florida I will be more acquainted with it but anyone looking into it, I am highly recommending it! I also have to thank my friends Clif and Sally who are independent book reviewers and recommend books often on their blogs! I am very interested in being a book reviewer but now I guess I must find out if doing that on a Kindle2 is an option :)
Outside my window... The sun is shining, my flowers are so beautiful! My husband did such a great job keeping them alive while I was away :) Thanks honey!
I am thinking... how sooo many people have really tough battles going on right now and how God is helping each and everyone of them! Thankyou Lord!
I am thankful for... sooo very much! The Lord, his rest, comfort and refreshing! My family and friends ~ here at home and my bloggy ones :)
From the kitchen... not cooking alot this week but tonight we are headed to my stepdaugthers house for dinner!!! thanks Krista!!
I am wearing... my pajama bottoms and top taking it easy still today....love summer :)
I am reading...My husband surprised me with a Kindle2 so I have downloaded some new books to begin reading when I fly back to Florida.....Thankyou Honey!!!
I am hoping... to see my friends while I am home! to get everything done while I am here and that all goes well with my dad as he begins treatment tomorrow
I am praying... for Alleluiabelle and Ron, Mary, my DAD, my son who is struggling with me going back to Florida, some friends here who have had some serious physical situations ~ One lost his left eye in a firework incident and the other found out she has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She is in her 40's and has two sons! Matt and Steph who are camping with their friends but their truck broke down, but they are seeing the best in the situation and asking the Lord to show them what HE wants them to see
Around the house... lots of family time this week....I LOVE IT! I am so very blessed
One of my favorite things...experience the Lords love at a whole new level! Last night we were talking and sharing with my daughter and her friend Tyler. At the end of the discussion we were praying over and for them and as I was praying I was thanking the Lord for being with us especially "in the Fire" and I just felt HIM wash over me and the Holy Spirit was ministering so strongly! Thankyou Father!
A few plans for the rest of the week... I am getting my hair done (cut and color) wahoooo! and a massage! my mom is coming to spend the night :) and will be doing her hair on Friday! Just being together as a family....is so very precious
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.
Dad's hair started falling out just after I left. I had cut it before and we were surprised that it hadn't since they told us it would. But he said that if it did he would just shave it off and so.....he did. He also lost a bit of his sideburns so he opted for the goatee (sp?) I think he looks so cute and can't wait to kiss his little bald head!
Fridays my dad spends time reflecting on the week and puts these notes on Facebook for his friends and co-workers to read. I have just been copying and pasting to share with you, our prayer warriors! Since I have returned home, my stepmom told me His hair has fallen out and parts of his beard and sideburns too. WOW~ that happened fast!
Thankyou all for your encouragement and prayers, having each of you on this journey is such a gift! What an awesome army of believers you all are!
Now, here's Dad
Each Precious Day Share Fri at 4:41pm It’s been a very active week regarding my health.
I finished the radiation treatments on my brain yesterday. That is a welcome relief! They won’t run another MRI to confirm that they killed the spots for several weeks or possibly a couple of months; however, they were very confident that they eliminated them. As I explained earlier, they growths were really small so I am confident they are gone.
Also, I met with my oncologist and radiation physician and we discussed next steps for dealing with the growth in my chest. They presented three options: (1) radiation only and then chemotherapy only, (2) chemotherapy only and then radiation only, or (3) the combination of the two at the same time. My oncologist and I discussed all three and, at first, she said she was reluctant to do both at the same time because of the negative side effects. I explained to her that I wanted to be as aggressive as possible in treating the main growth and, if I can tolerate the combination, I would like to move forward with option 3. I believe that the sooner I start chemotherapy, the greater my chance of stopping or slowing the spread and by radiating the growth they may shrink it and make it possible for me to get off the steroids. My oncologist didn’t take much time to think about it and said that because of my good health she would approve option 3.
Yesterday, I went into the Mayo Clinic and completed the preliminaries to begin the radiation treatments. The radiation treatments on my chest will begin next Wednesday and run for about 5 weeks and I will start my chemotherapy treatments next Thursday. I have an appointment with my oncologist on Tuesday to go over the chemotherapy procedure and the treatment expectations.
Cancer is an insidious disease. It doesn’t discriminate against anyone – young or old. It attacks all races. It leaves children without parents and it takes children from their families long before they should go. It cripples, maims, and forces surgeries that should never happen. It is rampant throughout the world and the progress in finding a cure is very slow. I continue to see some promising research take place, but many of the trials are far from completion and even if they succeed, there is the business of taking the trials and making them into productive treatments
Many know that Lance Armstrong is a cancer survivor and formed LiveStrong, the Lance Armstrong Cancer Foundation. I came across one of his commercials the other day and I think it captures the feelings that most people have about this disease. I thought you might like to see it
This week has presented some new challenges for me emotionally.
Let me preface this by saying I haven’t given up – not be any stretch of the imagination. I still have a very positive attitude and I continue to make changes each day to fight this thing. The debilitating effects that this cancer may have on me are not imminent. I feel pretty good most days. I live one day at a time and sometimes one minute at a time.
Equally positive, I am about to begin the treatments that I’ve wanted for two months. Wednesday will be the first time the doctors have treated the main growth and they are going after it with two forces – radiation and chemotherapy. Add in all of the prayers that are taking place and I am very hopeful that they will succeed in producing some really positive results.
That said, every now and then, I get a little deeper understanding of the overall gravity of my situation and the thought slips in about how ominous this disease is. Most of the emotional weight comes from my own vulnerability. Up until two months ago, I rarely thought of being sick or of death and getting lung cancer was nowhere on my radar. Part of the reason I quit smoking so long ago and took such good care of myself was so that I wouldn’t have to deal with something like this. The best laid plans of mice and men…
I thought I’d die of old age or get run over by a truck or something. I always idolized my grandparents and they lived well into their eighties and my mother is still living and will be 88 this September. That’s what I foresaw in my future – an active old man with a lot of energy and a lust for life.
Now it isn’t as certain – and in actuality it never was. We all have but one day and it is today! Getting this disease has made me more aware of how precious each day is and I am very grateful to be a part of each and every one. I know that as I go through this I will cherish each day to the fullest! It’s too bad that it took something like this to make me more keenly aware of that fact, but it did.
Well, my dad finished his radiation treatments on his brain this past Thursday and won't begin the new treatments for the tumor in his Chest until next week. As I was listening to the Doctor saying he would have this short break until the next treatments begin and then later that day I got to go to work with my dad and he was sharing with his secretary that he planned to work quite a bit next week until his treatments began I felt like this might be the right time to return home for a few days. It would allow me to help out my Dad and stepmom not have to fly both of my kids home and also to get my car back home. I told my husband this was the situation and he said that maybe I should come home and I shared that was what I was thinking but asked him to pray and then we would get together later and see what the Lord spoke to each of us. I didn't want to do anything out of the Lords will and I especially didn't want my emotions leading me at this time. I prayed throughout the day and felt that the Lord was saying to go home but I am big on hearing confirmation! I told my Stepmom was we were considering and she said "I think this makes to the most sense right now" 1st confirmation. Later my brother called and we were able to resolve our issues and he said "I really think you should come home and take a break before dad starts chemo"~ out of the blue hmmmm. confirmation #2? When I spoke with my husband, he said the same thing and I truly felt peace about my returning. confirmation #3.(my husband and I have learned that when there is a decision to be made we each seek the Lord individually, and listen to HIS answer and come back together, if we both have the same answer then we trust the Lord has given us this unity and we proceed) (I know the Lord can and does use us to help or speak in situations like these but my ultimate confirmation comes from HIM)When I spoke with my dad about it, I could tell he was having a hard time with me leaving but he also shared that he knew I couldn't stay forever and would be very happy for me to return. This was the hardest for me to handle and almost where I allowed my emotions to lead me. God tells us to seek HIM, to pray always and to not lean on our own understanding. While it is very hard for me to leave and be away from my dad for this week, it is also wonderful to hold my grandaughter(she is crawling now too!), see my stepdaughter, spend time with my mom and stepdad and catch up with some friends, and of course be with my Husband. His love, support, prayer covering and overall willingness to be there for me no matter what has drawn us together more than I ever imagined possible. I am so blessed to be his wife!
I would encourage anyone going through a tough season in their life or maybe just needing an answer for something, to seek the LORD, ask for HIS manifest Presence! He longs to be with us, to fill us, to encourage, to speak, to comfort and to pour out wisdom, love, joy unspeakable and yes when we are in the middle of a storm, HE longs to show us HIS mighty Power, Strength and Sovereignty. We must be still, we must seek, we must listen and be willing to HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT IS SAYING! Open our ears Lord, and our eyes too!
You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you.
I love to study the Word and at times I go to commentaries to see what they might have to say. Mathew Henry is one of my favorites and this is what he said for Isaiah 26 verses 1-4. These words speak so deeply to me at this season in my life and I pray they will speak to you as well! The Lord longs for us to walk in peace. Jesus said that He came to give us Peace. May each of you allow Gods peace to wash over you today!
Mathew Henry Commentary Isaiah 26 Verses 1-4 "That day," seems to mean when the New Testament Babylon shall be levelled with the ground. The unchangeable promise and covenant of the Lord are the walls of the church of God. The gates of this city shall be open. Let sinners then be encouraged to join to the Lord. Thou wilt keep him in peace; in perfect peace, inward peace, outward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, peace at all times, in all events. Trust in the Lord for that peace, that portion, which will be for ever. Whatever we trust to the world for, it will last only for a moment; but those who trust in God shall not only find in him, but shall receive from him, strength that will carry them to that blessedness which is for ever. Let us then acknowledge him in all our ways, and rely on him in all trials
Please visit other posts and be encouraged here Charlotte and Ginger are the loving vessels for this wonderful blog! Thankyou Ladies!
Outside my window... dark, cloudy and rain rain rain
I am thinking... How much the Lord has spoken to me today....refreshing me and saying "I am with you, I love you and I love your Dad. I will be with all of you, trust ME and walk with ME."
I am thankful for... the Lord and His love, my family and my friends here on this blog and back home who give me so much love and support and prayer warriors....OH MY!
From the kitchen... Dad says "We have never eaten so good" They are very appreciative of my cooking and I can even see Gods hand in me "planning meals" 6 months ago and how that has been such a gift while being here
I am wearing... jean shorts, black tank top
I am reading... the Word
I am hoping... that my brother and I can work through some very difficult issues that have come up
I am praying... Gods will be done and that I trust HIM everyday knowing He is in control
Around the house... taking care of horses is a new thing for me but I am truly enjoying it, I am loving mowing and so proud of my kids who continue to be so willing to do whatever is needed and are thankful to be here with their PAPA
One of my favorite things... seeing the transformation literally before my eyes of my Dads relationship with the LORD. It is more than I could have ever imagined! I am humbled and blessed to see this wonderful relationship form and grow!
A few plans for the rest of the week... Mayo tomorrow and dad will make the final decision as to whether he is going to do both chemo and radiation. I told him I would pray for complete clarity in his decision. Thursday is his last brain radiation and then we will see what happens from there and when the new treatment begins. Will Dad be able to visit his mom.....stay tuned.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
This is Dad and I on the 4th of July. I had a mouth full of apple cobbler and my sweet daughter wasn't patient enough to let me SWALLOW :) before snapping this photo. OH WELL...it was a wonderful evening for us as a family!
