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.