Grace

Heads Up

Last Thursday I had an out-patient chemo treatment.  My mom was my chemo buddy as she always is for out-patient (and in-patient as well).  I prayed that I would have a great nurse and that I might get the nurse I had during my first treatment there.  She was actually the helper to the nurse that was taking care of me that day.  Thank you Jesus.

Mom brought her Kindle along as she usually does to these treatments.  Instead of reading, we decided to play Heads Up.  We couldn’t contain our laughter after a while of each of us trying to describe some of those words that would pop up.  Mom decided that we needed to do the category of “humming and singing.”  Oh.My.Word!  You haven’t lived until your mom has tried to act out “Baby Got Back.”  It certainly helped pass the time while we were there.  I am so thankful that God brings laughter and distraction during difficult times.

Christmas

This year looked different for us.  There was a great deal that I’m used to doing for my family that I simply can’t.  That.is.hard.  However, God is so gracious and we had “elves” help us with shopping, wrapping presents, taking the girls shopping, and so on.  We are so very blessed to have so many that love us and have been Jesus’ hands and feet to us.

Our youth choir came and caroled at our house.  It was so sweet and was such a blessing to my heart to see those teenagers singing wholeheartedly.  They brought yummy treats as well that my crew thoroughly enjoyed.  Following them several nights later, we heard air brakes outside the house.  I thought maybe it was UPS delivering something to a neighbor.  Our girls had gone to their old school’s Whoville event and I heard them running up to the door and knocking.  Craig went and answered the door and they busted through saying, “they are here to sing to us.”  I got up and went to the door and two school buses were parked in the road and there were at least 50 people standing in my yard.  Our Connection Group, Shine, leaders, Shine family members, and other young married families were there to carol to us.  Yep- tears were definitely flowing.  God knew I needed a reminder that He loves me and that I can still enjoy Christmas even if it looks differently this year.

Both groups that caroled for us blessed my heart immensely.  God continually uses others to bless me and help carry me through.  It is overwhelming how much He loves me.

Praise God for His grace that the side effects were kept at bay and I was able to enjoy family festivities for Christmas to celebrate Jesus’ birth.  I could hardly contain the tears watching the joy on my girls’ faces as they opened presents.  It was such a blessing to my heart to laugh with family, talk and spend time with them, and enjoy each other’s company.

The Last Rounds

Tomorrow will be my last in-patient chemo round.  There is both joy and apprehension.  I am excited that I will only have 8 more days of chemo (one last out patient treatment next Thursday) and then I will be finished with this leg of the journey.  I am pretty nervous and terrified of what the next steps will be- I’d appreciate your prayers.  Despite that, I know that God is already there.  There have been moments where it is has been hard to draw a full breath- the unknown scary and Satan loudly proclaiming my fears.  However, Jesus has shown up every time and has continually shown me that His power and strength are perfect when I am weak- “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'” II Corinthians 12:9.  Thank you God for continually carrying me through this journey and giving me your strength every day!

God has continually used others’ obedience in sending me messages, cards, small gifts, and His Word to let me know that He loves me and He has got this.  I need reminders more often than not when fear starts creeping in.  I’m so thankful that He speaks to me in and through different means.  No matter what I am feeling, God is working.  He is who He says He is and He is good.  Your prayers are carrying me through and God is listening and working.  Please continue to lift me up; I’d be so grateful. Will you pray that this in-patient stay will be complication-free and that I’ll have nurses who will provide great care?

Can I ask you to pray big and ceaselessly for some specific things?

-Will you pray that the lesion remaining in my lung is dead cells and not an active, different cancer?

-Will you pray that my PICC line will remain complication-free, infection-free, and work perfectly for the next 8 days?

-Will you pray that the next 8 days will be set-back free and that I can finish chemo on January 3 as planned?

– Will you pray for my PET scan that is coming up on January 8th- that there will be zero cancer found and my brain MRI on the 7th will be cancer-free?

-Will you pray that the side effects from chemo going forward will be at a minimum and that God will give me the strength, mentally and physically, to get through each day?

– Will you pray for Craig, my girls, and our families that God will give them the strength they need to walk alongside me and carry me when necessary?

“But He said ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.'” Luke 18:28

Craig and I are so grateful to God for each of you.  We pray blessings upon each of you daily and are so humbled by your love for us.  We are eternally thankful for your prayers on our behalf- God is using them in mighty ways.