Happy Birthday to me...

It is 11:56 pm and my birthday is about to officially end. I am determined to write on my blog today, so here I am, just getting it in before May 24th comes around.

Today was my 52nd birthday and it was a very good birthday. Nothing flashy, kind of low key. Tom and Jamie are not here right now, as they are traveling in Chile, South America. We'll celebrate when they get back, which is just fine with me because I try to spread my birthday out for as long as possible, sometimes for weeks.:-)

Today Mary and I went up to Camp Tahkodah. We got there right before noon and climbed up the side of the mountain to what is called Tahkodah Bluff. All of our children have gone to this wonderful church camp every summer. I've heard of the bluff year after year, but had never been up there. So, Mary and I climbed and climbed. She was patient and encouraging to her slow-moving 52 year old mother. When we got up to the huge boulder at the top there was a spectacular view. Wow...just beautiful. We had packed a picnic lunch and we ate it right there, overlooking the bluff. Pretty cool.

Then tonight Mary and Betsy and I made homemade sushi (we're getting pretty good at it) and the girls stuck a candle in the middle of the sushi and sang Happy Birthday. :-) Then we watched "Pride and Prejudice". Life is good. A very sweet evening, and a very good day.

So much has happened in the past few months since I last wrote on this blog. I did go to Africa and it was such a life changing experience. I'll write more about that some other time. Right after we got back, Tom's father began declining quickly in health. He passed away on April 1st at 95 years old. We all loved him so much, it was hard to say goodbye. And even though he was 95 there was some element of still not expecting it. We knew his death was coming, I would say even months before he passed away there were signs that it was time. And yet, something in our human nature is never REALLY prepared to let go of our loved ones. We know he is home...home with God.

Wow. What an incredible phrase... home with God. It is something we have confidence about as Christians, not because of being good enough, but because of the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. Because of my cancer journey I've thought a lot about life and death and "going home". Many years ago when I was in college I wondered if I was really going to heaven...you know, would I "make it"? Then I had this dream one night. It was about Jesus coming back at the end of time. I had this overwhelming feeling of joy and peace that He was coming to get me. I wasn't thinking "oh no, I'm not ready" or "I don't want Him to see me yet". I had a complete confidence that I was saved and I WANTED to see Him because I belonged to Him. When I woke up, I knew the dream was a dream, but it also was like the Lord had settled this question in my heart for all the rest of my life. I haven't wondered once since that night if I would "make it". I know, with confidence, that I have already "made it"...not because I'm without sin or perfect or so good or ANYTHING that I could DO. I've "made it" because of Jesus' blood. When I gave my life to Jesus and to His whole plan of forgiving me and salvation, then His dying "made it" possible...for me. And for you too. There's no other way. But that's okay...we only need one way. I am SO grateful for His mercy and His love EVERYDAY.

Thursday I had another medical test day. Full bone scan and also a CT scan of my head, chest, abdomen and pelvis. It was a long day, with tests starting at 8:15 am. Finally about 3:30 I saw my doctor and she said "no cancer activity can be seen on any of the scans". YEAH GOD. I was completely thrilled and grateful to God!!!!! That really was an awesome birthday present.

SO...it has been a great week! "No cancer" on my report card from my oncologist. And a wonderful day celebrating one more year of life.

Thank You, O God, for Your everlasting kindness to me. You are SO holy and wonderful. I thank You for rescuing me from death. I thank You for giving me Life. Thank You for all my blessings...my husband, my children, my family and friends. Thank You for You...and Your love. Thank You for this this day, for this past year, and for the plans you already have for me in the days and years ahead. What a great day. Thanks. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Africa

Once again, I've been slow to get back and write anything. I apologize for the long delay...but it is kind of a good thing that I don't have medical issues to report. I am very,very grateful to the Lord that I'm doing well.

My last checkup was fine. I had a CBC blood check in December and my numbers were pretty good, not perfect, but good. My iron level came up from November to December.

My big news is that I have been preparing for a major trip...I am going to Ghana, West Africa with Tom. This will be my first ever mission trip. Tom has been to Africa now 8 or 9 times. I'm glad I'm going with someone with that much experience, besides it just being sweet to be with him.

Going to Africa will be an exciting adventure and certainly a great opportunity to see what the Lord is doing across the world. But this trip is even more significant to me. This is a HUGE "mile marker" on my continued life race. I am now 2 years away from my breast cancer diagnosis. I am grateful to the Lord to be alive and to be able to do something so adventuresome.

I will say that before I had cancer I was timid and unsure of traveling anywhere so far away, but now I want to live everyday to the fullest. That includes doing things that I wouldn't have done before because of fear. I want to live fearlessly, walking in the strength of the Lord. SO...this trip is kind of like me skydiving...stepping out to do something that is hard but thrilling. I'm setting aside old fears and giving the Lord my list of concerns. He is faithful to take all of them so I don't have to. This is certainly not a one time exercise...but a continual laying my heart and my worries at His feet.

Please pray for us...for safety in our travels, for our children's well being while we are away, for no sickness or disease to come on us, for eyes that can see what He wants us to do while we are there and doing it, and to serve Him by serving and loving others we come to meet. Thanks for your covering of prayer.

So...here I go. Ready, set, JUMP. I am jumping into the unknown and trusting the Lord to take care of thousands of details. He is my loving Protector and Helper and Rock. I believe He knows how to skydive.

I will trust in the Lord, who is worthy to be praised!

Blessings to you all.

December 21, 2008

Tis the season to be celebrating the birth of Jesus, and that's what we've been doing. This is one of the first Christmas seasons that I have stayed calm and de-stressed. It has always been a time of year that I've struggled with feeling overwhelmed, but this year I've kept joy in the middle of the busyness. We have Christmas and 2 birthdays in one week, plus this year Betsy graduated...but, it's all been good. I know that this is a gift of peace from the Lord, because it is not my natural mode. So...I'm very thankful!!!

Our Betsy did graduate yesterday! We are so proud of her and thankful for who she is, not just this accomplishment. We had a good day of celebrating with her...even went to the big city of Little Rock and everything. :-)

Now I'm shifting gears for Mary's birthday celebration on Tuesday. Then Jesse comes home on Wednesday. We'll all be together...which truly is Christmas enough for me! Then after Christmas we will celebrate Jesse's 25th birthday...wow.

Regarding my health...I'm doing fine. I go in tomorrow for a CBC blood test, just routine...they are checking iron and Vit D levels. I also have started my shots to go to Africa in January. Please continue to pray for my body to easily handle all those vaccinations. I really don't have any other appointments until I return in February. Our trip is from Jan 30th to Feb. 16th. I would love for you to keep us in prayer before, during and after this trip. I'm asking for people to pray for safe travel, physical strength, protection from spiritual attacks of any kind, and also, clear vision to see what the Lord wants us to do when we are there. Tom has lots to do, but I will be looking for where I'll fit in to the schedule. Thanks so much for your prayers.

I continue to live with a grateful heart, thanking God for each day. Sometimes it just hits me...I'm still here! I'm healed! I get overwhelmed with emotion that is wrapped up with thankfulness. God has been faithful...God has been good...and He continues to show His love to me everyday. I cannot live one day without Him.

May the Lord bless you richly during this coming week and watch over you in the new year. All glory and praise to the One who came as a baby, died on the cross, and rose again, all because He loves us. Merry, merry Christmas!!!!!