~Sweet Sweet Fella~

Day 1 is almost over. It has been rather a breeze. But of course Ripley is feeling rather poorly. He was very glad to see me when I picked him up this morning and did exactly as he did when I picked him up last time. He cried all the way home. But once we stopped to visit friends he stopped. He allowed friends to hold him for a minute, but only if I sat right there. When I started to leave the room, he had a fit.

He hasn't had to stay in the crate today since I know he's not going anywhere. We'll see how he does tomorrow.

We have to make weekly visits to have bandage change and then we have to see the surgeon in 2 weeks to check the elbow. If the bandage gets wet it has to be taken off immediately and we have to come back in. We are supposed to wrap it with Saran wrap or a bag if we go out when it is wet. Fun! Fun! The Saran wrap worked good today.

As promised here as a few pictures taken today. They are rather sad.

This is the only one I could get him to look at the camera!

He really wasn't much in the mood for pictures.

~A long long 3 months awaits us~

I think as much as I'm missing the little fellow I'm also dreading the next 3 months. It has been different around the house since Thursday morning without Ripley. There was an emergency at the Vet. Surgery Center Friday so his surgery got bumped until late Friday afternoon/evening. I got my call about 7:00 p.m. that he everything was just fine. They were able to get his leg back in place. The plan is to keep it wrapped for about a month so that it can heal and then after that we'll have two more month of no activity so that his leg will heal completely. If all goes as planned, he should be able to have a normal life.

Being as this is our second go, I'm going to have to be even more strict on him and keep him even calmer than I did the last time.

Has anyone ever tried to keep a young dog calm? It isn't easy by any means that's for sure!

I was very surprised, but also happy that when I took him back for his examination last Thursday that it didn't bother him one bit to go back. At least I knew he had received good care there. Both times he has had surgery on Friday and therefore he stays throughout the weekend so that he can be monitored. The surgeon calls me directly after surgery to discuss the surgery and how he did and the technicians are very good about calling me throughout the weekend to give me updates on him.

I know still he will be very ready to come home tomorrow morning. As will I be ready to have him back home.

I'll post a picture of him tomorrow after I pick him up.

~Rippee~Rippee~Rippee~

What is a person to do?

Yikes! It will be 7 weeks tomorrow. I tell you 7 long long weeks tomorrow since Ripley had his surgery to fix the problem at his elbow. Well, wouldn't you know, he's injured it. He has managed to pop the bone out of place without bending the pin they put in to stablize the joint. So, tomorrow morning they will go back in and put this back in place or try to and it will then have to be wrapped for 3-4 weeks so that it will not be able to come out. Hopefully this is not all done in vain and we are able to save his leg. I cannot stand the thought of this young dog losing his leg. I don't think it would phase him a bit, but it bothers me greatly.

So, we are starting this surgery thing over. It'll be the end of summer before this more doggy will be able to be groomed. He already looks like a rug rat he's so shaggy.

On a lighter note...

This has been my sister's week for chemo and she's tolerated it fantastically. And, Praise God, she's started to grow hair. They told her it would be 2-6 months before this would happen, if at all. Whew! She would not be happy if she didn't get her hair back.

God is Good!

Jan ~ Prior to losing her hair!

~All Things Are Possible~

Mark 9:23 NKJ

23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things arepossible to him who believes."


From our early years we are educated in what is impossible. But progress continues to be made by people who attempt the impossible and achieve it.


Some have said that mankind's only real obstacle is between our two ears.


We ARE limited by what we believe, according to Jesus.


So, how can we change what we believe? Only by getting new evidence, which is available from the Word of God.


MATTHEW 17:20 NKJ

20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed,you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.


A conventional approach will not achieve the "impossible." It will require acting different than the crowd, who probably won't understand you or support you. Speaking to things and telling them to move, as Jesus taught, is certainly not conventional. Acting different than everyone else can be scary. It's like getting out of the boat to walk on water. But do you want conventional results?


As you read the Bible and see the instructions God gave us, you will usually find them unconventional. But the person who acts on God's Word will be blessed.


While our family is facing a very difficult time and we should ALL be doing whatever possible to help my sister literally in this fight for her life there is trouble. Is this the devil? Is this his way of trying to discourage us or put a stop to our Praise of all God is doing?


Please pray that these matters will be resolved. This is negative energy that could be used in positive ways.

~How Much Is Enough?~

The Sunny-Side-Up Car
By Susanne Scheppmann

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3 NIV)

Devotion:
I received a rude hand gesture as I was driving, twice in one day. “What in the world?” I thought. I am a careful and considerate driver, and thought I was driving just fine. I could not remember the last time I had angered another driver to that extent. Today, it happened not once but twice, and I couldn’t figure out why.

Then just a few blocks from home, a woman in a sporty yellow convertible raced by me, honking obnoxiously and glaring at me. Finally, it began to dawn on me why this was happening. I usually drive a shiny SUV. Today, I was tooling around in our old car with very faded paint and eggs splattered across it. A few weeks ago, someone had thrown eggs at the car as a prank, and by the time we discovered it, the egg had adhered permanently. We scrubbed and scraped but in the heat of the Nevada desert, the eggs had baked into the paint.

Then an “ah-ha” thought popped into my mind. People were judging my driving skills and me, by my sunny-side-up egged car. Their attitudes became aggressive. They felt they needed to put me in “my place.” Their angry actions told me, “Get that thing off the road. Don’t you know how to drive, woman?” I suspect this was because my car looked like a disaster.

Sadly, I know I have misjudged, misinterpreted, and misunderstood other people because they look and act differently than I do. Unfortunately, sometimes I inspect the outside and never delve beyond the exterior of the person.

However, today’s key verse instructs us differently— to consider others better than ourselves. In addition, Romans 12:16 advises, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” (NIV)

I guess I am thankful for my sunny-side-up egged car. Every time I turn the key in the ignition, I’ll be reminded that appearances do not matter.


I know there are times when I've judged someone by his or her outward appearance or even by what I've been told or think. I want to be reminded that we are all God's children. I want to have the grace to love unconditionally as God does.

Also in reading Philippians 2:1-11. We should note how “our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (vs. 5).

Romans 12:3, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (NIV)

Zechariah 7:10, “Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.” (NIV)

Lately there are circumstances that have arisen where I feel like I'm being judged or torn down. It is very hurtful and I tend to pull away when all is said and done. I want to have the grace to walk away in these circumstances. I want to strive to do my best and not allow this negativity in my life and in my daily walk.


Easter was just a few days ago. Jesus died on the cross for my sins so that I may have eternal life. All I have to do is confess my sins and believe. The Father remembers them no more.


Romans 8: 1- 4

"1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit."


~Striving to be like Christ~

~Easter 2008~

Running Through the Rain

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in, "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said.

"What?" Mom asked.
"Let's run through the rain!" She repeated.
"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.
This young child waited about another minute and repeated, "Mom, let's run through the rain." "We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.
"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.
"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"
"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!'"

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If God let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories... So, don't forget to make time and take opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.

I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

I'm sure that many of you have read this before - but it really made me realize how much we can learn from children. They always BELIEVE, they have unending FAITH and they are always able to run through the rain - and enjoy it!

Please keep praying without ceasing and BELIEVING in Jan's complete and total healing on EARTH. I know that I pray, ask, hope, believe and thank God for it several times a day! :)

"Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised."
Romans 4:20-21

~Running through the rain - and loving it,~

"If God Knows I am Hurting, Why Doesn't He Help Me?"

Here is part of a devotional that spoke to me:

"If God Knows I Am Hurting, Why Doesn't He Help Me?"

I think this is worth posting ~ especially if you are going through hard times.

"And there's one thing very certain about the hard times in your life right now. It will change you. For better or for worse, it will change you. During difficult times, you either get stronger in your relationship with Christ or you get weaker. You never stay the same. But in the middle of such agony and pain, it's hard to see things clearly. It may even be difficult to see God's love. I think about Job, a man in the Old Testament who went through difficult times. He lost his whole family, virtually everything he owned, and went through sickness. He felt like you do now. And I want you to understand exactly what Job later understood: That no matter what you feel or what happens, God does exist and He deeply loves you. No matter how awful things become, no matter what happens, we can never be separated from God's love."


"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:38-39

"Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the author of faith. He also makes it perfect. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. He put up with attacks from sinners. So think about him. Then you won't get tired. You won't lose hope."

Hebrews 12:2-3

If we don't believe in God our world would be dark and our lives filled with bitterness. I refuse to live that way. The only thing I focus on is JESUS and God's Word. That is all that matters! And because of that we have hope - we have happiness - we have faith and we BELIEVE!

~Believing~

~Finding Power in Weakness~

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Devotion:
Jesus is the author of compassion and kindness. When facing the pain, agony, shame, and horror of the cross he couldn’t walk away – because He saw YOU. As Max Lucado says in his book The Final Week of Jesus, He saw us “right there in a middle of a world which isn’t fair … He saw you betrayed by those you love. He saw you with a body which gets sick and a heart that grows weak. He saw you in your own Garden of Gethsemane – and he didn’t want you to be alone…He would rather go to hell for you than to heaven without you.”

What an amazing act of kindness, and what an incredible example to follow of what we should do when we feel vulnerable and weak. Many of us say we have nothing to give when dark and lonely times come our way, but Jesus taught us to look past loneliness into the richness of helping others.

We say we having nothing to give, and God says, “You’re right, but I have something to give through you.” Remember the encouragement given to us in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Maybe that is why the world hates weakness so much. If it is in our weakness that the power of God can flow most freely, then it’s no wonder the world would want to cork up this power’s flow. Everything about our society screams out against being weak, yet weakness resides in us all. No matter how beautiful, rich, powerful, and significant someone may seem, weakness is still there.

Behind the thin bodies and glamorous clothing of the rich and famous, weakness is there. Weakness knows no bounds. At every level of society, in every race, men and women alike have weaknesses. And be assured that along with weakness, loneliness calls their names. Sorrows and insecurities still haunt them. All the while God gently calls them to let Him make their weaknesses and loneliness count for something good. Many choose not to listen.

To walk the path that the Lord delights in, we must be willing to let God use the circumstances of our lives to reach out to others. Let’s compare our hurts to stones littering our paths. We have a choice to do one of three things with these stones. We can use them to beat ourselves up, making our scars run deeper than they should. We can throw our stones at others, wounding them and making them also feel our pain. Or, we can use these stones to build bridges for others to walk across from their own darkness and pain into His healing light. This third option is seldom chosen, yet it’s exactly what God delights in.
Show me Lord, who I could touch today so Your power could flow through my weakness. Help me to not be so self-consumed with my troubles but rather be a bridge to help another person find Your power.

~Out and About~

Today was a great day! I was able to spend it with Jan. She is starting to feel a lot better. Praises!! We went to the American Cancer Society to see about getting her a wig. They did not have what we were looking for, but we'll go back next Wednesday and there are some styles that were being cleaned today that hopefully be what Jan is looking for.

Next we went to get her blood drawn to check her levels. We had to wait quite a bit for this. Probably because we got there around lunch time.

Next we went to have lunch. Then she still had plenty of energy, so we went to do a little shopping. The plan has originally been that we would do these couple of things and then come back to my house so she could rest and then I would take her to her nail appointment. It was wonderful to be able to spend time together, but even more wonderful that she felt a lot better. She's really been wanting to get out, but just hadn't felt good enough. I think the drive to M.D. Anderson last week really took a toll on her and so we'll have to fly her next time.

After shopping it was time for her nail appointment. It was nice visiting with Jan and Bri.

After her nail appointment, we stopped and got a coke and then headed home. It was a relaxing fun day during the middle of the week to take time away from work and other stressors. I'm sure she needed to rest a bit when she got home.

After I dropped her off, I walked next door to see Mom before heading home. The girls will be spending much more time together in days to come.

Hang On To Your Faith

The devil's whole strategy is to get you to turn loose of your faith in God and His Word.

MARK 4:15 NIV
15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

How can the devil steal the Word from someone? Only when it seems untrue. People don't turn loose of what they believe is true.

So, to steal the Word, the devil must convince people it's not true. The devil does this by getting us to focus on what our senses tell us, instead of on God's Word, the seed which changes our circumstances when we retain it.

As with any seed, the full manifestation of its life is not apparent immediately, but manifests over time with the proper care. God's Word will change your circumstances!

If you don't believe God's Word, you won't act on it. Without following God's instructions, you will not be made free (see John 8:31-32).

Actions cannot be separated from believing. Whatever you are acting on is what you really believe.

In the New Testament, "faith" is the noun and "believe" is the verb form of the same Greek word. So, hanging on to your faith means to keep believing what God said -- regardless of circumstances.

HEBREWS 10:23 KJV
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

A key to hanging on to your faith is found in what you say.When you speak of fear and doubt, faith shrivels. But when you speak faith words in line with the Bible, your faith grows strong.

The devil tries to get you to doubt God and His Word. The devil wants you to give up on God, to not trust Him, to not expect Him to do what He said in His Word. Do not give up! God can betrusted.

The devil seems to be trying to rob us of our joy! It seems that he is making progress with some. Others, strong in their faith and belief are not letting him.

~Joyfully~

“There are moments in the harsh bleakness of winter that would be unbearable if there were not, tucked deep within its bosom, the promise of spring.

But spring always comes.

Dark moments in the life and heart of a mother or wife are mitigated only in the light of God’s sovereignty. We must learn to draw upon the resources of a sovereign God - One who unreservedly offers us not solutions, not answers, not happily-ever-after endings, but His glad welcome- the assurance of His presence with us.

The desert has its edge, and in God’s timing the darkness will give way to light.
Ephesians 3:2 is our warranty: “We may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Assured of His glad welcome, we can take our places in a world full of people like ourselves- people who don’t know where to turn, who never in a million years expected to find themselves in their present circumstances- people for whom there are no answers but Jesus Christ.

And we can do it joyfully!

-Joy MacKenzie

We can face the circumstances of life several ways. We can try to ignore them, with depression or with joy. There are times in our lives that we cannot change our circumstances.

The one thing that is certain, the one thing that has never changed is Christ’s position on his throne. Our problems are still our problems, but because we have a sovereign God who is working things out for our ETERNAL good, we can rest assured that no matter what happens on this earth, no matter what circumstances or disease that enters our earthly life…..

We have a mansion in heaven with our name on it!

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have troubles. But take heart! I have overcome the world. - John 16:33

Never in a million years would I have thought my sister would have brain cancer! I never thought life would be perfect. It says in the Bible we will have troubles. But I never thought at times it would be this difficult.

I know this journey we are on at this moment is extremely hard for me, but I cannot begin to imagine how hard it is for my sister. I want to do anything and everything to help make this easier for her. She has struggled immensely in the last few weeks and even more so in the last few days. That's hard to swallow. It was hard to swallow when my Dad suffered with his cancer.

It is great comfort to know that we have someone we can go to any time and any where. Someone who is waiting for us. Someone who will carry us when the load is too heavy.

Do you know that someone?

~Research~

The internet is a wonderful thing. It provides so many useful things. But I wonder in some circumstances if a normally sane person could go off on a wild goose chase. I spent the majority of today searching and scouring the internet for supplements, foods and others who had knowledge or had been on the medications Jan is taking on this clinical trial. There are tons of supplements, diets and remedies for cancer. They vary from site-to-site. Ugh! I say it again. Ugh!

I don't know if I'm any closer than I was before researching. I don't think I'm too skeptical. I think I'm level headed. I would however hate it if we didn't have the internet!

With cancer you don't have the leisure to just try anything. Though I believe some do. I would hate to try something that was damaging.

Pray that God directs us as we make this journey. Pray for wisdom in making decisions on foods and supplements. Pray for peace of mind. Pray for a positive attitude for Jan and a desire to fight. Please pray for quality life.

For more about all this, see the entry on her blog: http://grammysjourney.blogspot.com/

~Quiet Weekend~

I have to put a picture of Sweet Aubree on. I'll be seeing her some this week. She's really alot of fun.
Nothing much going on! Just doing things around the house. This should be a fairly easy work week since my doctor will be out of the office. However, he finished his work on Friday, so now I'll have to finish my part now.




The kids at church today didn't have Sunday School due to spring break, so I got out early. Ripley and I went and visited "the sisters." Two elderly ladies that used to live across the street and getting ready to move back. They've adopted us or maybe Ripley. We haven't seen them since surgery as we're still in our recovery period and he is not supposed to get excited, run, jump, etc. Ha! Tell him that. He was very excited for the visit and all.



It seems it is still taking Jan time to recover from chemo last week. Or, is it from one of the medications she is still on. I guess we'll call and talk with the oncologist tomorrow to see about this. Ugh!

When she's not feeling good and frustrated from not doing much, it makes the presence of brain cancer that more real. We're hoping this is something she can adjust to and with the help of changing her diet, reverse these feelings of fatigue, etc.

"Christians can rejoice in the middle of trouble because they have learned from experience that God is faithful. "

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character hope." Romans 5:3-4

~Trusting~

~Just Pictures~

Here is sweet Aubree and myself. We had a fun time just hanging out Wednesday.


Sweet girl!









Not much else going on the last few days. We're still thrilled by the wonderful news. Jan is off the chemo for the next week. She did so much better this week than the first week, but she still experienced fatigue by about the 4th day. We're not sure if this was exacerbated by the drive to M.D. Anderson.





I've been gearing up myself to return to better eating habits. And back to exericse. Ugh! Just getting back into the routine is the hardest. After adjusting your routine, it gets easier.









The Future Begins Today

PHILIPPIANS 3:13 NKJ
13 ...one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
Today IS the first day of the rest of your life. And it will be what you and God make it.
Your past does not have to dictate your future. You can begin again. With God you really can have a fresh start.
God can forgive your past -- and help you to forgive yourself. But most importantly, God can change you. He can make you into the kind of person you know you should be.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 NRSV
17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
Your life can be different. But don't think it will be different if you continue to do things exactly the same as you always have.
For your life to change -- you must MAKE changes. If you want real change -- God's Word is the key. You must immerse yourself in the Word. What you feed in determines the output of your life.

ACTS 20:32 NLT
32 "And now I entrust you to God and the word of his grace--his message that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.
God's Word will build you up. Jesus said it would make you free-- if you continue in it (John 8:31-32).

The Bible is God's answer to man's problems. It gives life and hope and instruction so we can walk in victory. Prayer is also vital. Prayer is communication with God. All relationships require communication to keep from growing cold.
So, actively involve God in your life. Consult with Him on every decision. God is the best helper you will ever have.

JOHN 14:16 NKJ
16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, The future can be better. The choice is yours. If you invite and involve God in your future -- it will be bright!

~Consulting God on every decision~

~Sweet Baby Girl~

Yesterday after getting our most awesome news I got to spend some time with Grammy's girl, Ms. Aubree. She will be 8 months at the end of this month. She is at the age where everything is new and exciting. She is such a smart little thing and such a joy.


Everytime I think I'm going to be around this precious girl I have to take pictures for her Grammy, as well as to post on her Grammy's blog. If you haven't seen the link on the side or gone to Grammy's blog, please do so.


The link is: http://grammysjourney.blogspot.com/


What a wonderful end to a most blessed day.


Press On
PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14 Weymouth
"13 ...one thing I do--forgetting everything which is past and stretching forward to what lies in front of me,
14 with my eyes fixed on the goal I push on to secure the prize of God's heavenward call in Christ Jesus.

Believers face many difficulties. Trials. Adversaries. Doubts. At times we're all tempted to quit. The struggle seems too much, and we wonder if it's worth it to continue, to hold on to our faith when there seems to be no hope left. But there is a goal -- supremely worthwhile: life with our wonderful Lord. Not just existence, but intimate fellowship. Fix your eyes on the goal -- God Himself -- and press on!"

1 CORINTHIANS 1:9 NIV
"9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. Please read the following verses slowly and thoughtfully."

1 PETER 5:7-10 NCV
"7 Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you.
8 Control yourselves and be careful! The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat.
9 Refuse to give in to him, by standing strong in your faith.You know that your Christian family all over the world is having the same kinds of suffering.
10 And after you suffer for a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever. Space does not permit much comment on these verses, but notice that suffering is caused by your enemy, the devil, and its purpose is to attack your faith. Also notice that God only allows you to suffer a short time."But," you say, "it's already been a long time."Not really. It seems like a long time when you are going through trials, but afterward seems like a short time. Even a few years is nothing when you look back on it. Ask God to help you see things from Heaven's perspective."But why does God allow me to suffer at all?" Because people make wrong choices. Conflict causes suffering. But God believes in you! Why should He yank you out of the arena? God believes that with His grace and help, you will overcome and experience victory.The end result is what really counts. God will make everything turn out alright. (Read verse 10 again.) Maybe you feel like your faith is barely hanging by a thread. Just hang on. With God holding the thread -- and He is -- your faith will survive. You will make it! God will help you."

We should say: I will press on with God. I will not quit or give upon my faith.--

~Pressing On~

~Praises~

We just got our phone call from Jan. We are absolutely THRILLED with the results. Everything is as it was a month ago. There is NO GROWTH and NO NEW TUMORS.

Please join us as we PRAISE GOD for answering our prayers! We are so very thankful to have family and friends who love Jan and Gerald, as well as our family who help us as we walk this road.

The trip has been somewhat tiring for Jan and she feels somewhat weak. However, she is ecstatic to get this news. You can hear the relief in her voice. They are already on their way home. Please pray for safe travels.

~Details~Jan will return to M.D. Anderson in April, one month for follow up visit. The plan is not to run an MRI when she returns in April, but she will have one in May. She will not go back on the Accutane as they believe this is the medication that she is allergic to and do not want to start her on that and then have an allergic reaction and have to start all over again. Dr. Gilbert also gave her a medication to help with fatigue. This is a medication that I am familiar from working where I do and I believe it will benefit her.


Lamentations 3:21-25This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, Therefore I hope in Him! The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Thank you again for your prayers, love and friendship.

~Praising God~

~Freedom from Fear~

Here is a picture of Ms. Aubree sending Hugs and Kisses to Grammy in Houston!





Here is the schedule for testing tomorrow. If you are able, please join us as we pray specifically at these times:


MRI ~ 7:00 a.m. (They have to check in at 6:30 a.m.)
Lab ~ 9:00 a.m.
Oncologist appointment ~ 11:00 a.m.

We ask that you continue to take this to the throne of God. Specifically asking: peace, excellent results, wisdom for the doctors, wisdom for Jan & Gerald and lastly for safe travel. Please pray that Jan will remain positive with a bright outlook on her future.

Jan and Gerald made it to Houston around 5:30 ~ 6:00p.m. They did get stuck in rush hour traffic. I talked to Jan a couple of times today. The last couple of days it seems that the meds are making her somewhat tired. But she has continued with her exercises. She also feels a little weak, but I think as she is able to adjust to the meds this will get better. The long car ride probably made this a bit worse today.

We ask that you continue to pray that she can adjust to these medications and also that they are able to do what they are intended to do.

I'll share a bit of something I read today about Faith and Fear:

"The antidote to suffocating, stifling, stagnating fear is simple faith."

"If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer. His grace is sufficient, His promise unchangeable." Written by John Newton."

So don't worry, because I am with you. Don't be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you." Isaiah 41:10

"One of the greatest promises of God is that we don't have to face our fears alone. He is always with us; never will He forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). In fact, when we truly experience His love, fear is cast away (1 John 4:18). Why? Love is what must be present for trust to flourish."

God will:
Help you in trouble ~ Psalms 46:1-2
Provide your needs and give you peace ~ Philippians 4:6-7
Eliminate fear ~ Leviticus 26:6
Give boldness ~ Proverbs 28:1

Since we truly experience His love, we can walk boldly, with a sense of confidence to God and let Him handle all the anxieties that trouble us.

Please pray that our family will remain steadfast in our Faith and that we will not give in to Fear. Nothing can rob you of joy, confidence, optimism and opportunities more quickly than a spirit of fear.


"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge --that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19

~Bolding approaching the throne of God with Faith~

~Testing~

Sisters ~ I think we all love this picture. I can't remember how old we were, but it looks somewhere around when I was in 1st grade.

Here we are just one short month since Jan had her last MRI. If we were to let our minds take over and run away we could imagine all kinds of things. This wouldn't be productive for anyone. You could say anything is possible when you are dealing Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). But, what good does it do and really how harmful is this kind of thinking. But, isn't God in control here. Nothing is too big for Him. Negative thinking doesn't benefit anyone. I know that there will always be some uneasiness while waiting on test results. I'm thankful she is able to meet with her oncologist the same day she has her MRI to get the results. Is it the fear of the unknown? Unknown for us, yes. But God knows the results without having to have an MRI. He is the one who is in control here!

My devotion for today reads as follows:

"When life gets particularly tough, keep your eyes and heart open for God's small miracles."

"To the true disciple a miracle only manifests the power and love which are silently at work everywhere as divinety in the gift of daily bread as in the miraculous multiplication of the loaves." Frederick William Robertson

Tender Mercies ~ Bible study passage ~ Jeremiah 31:1-20

"Let us then, feel very sure that we can come before God's throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it." Hebrews 4:16

"When we get to the end of our own strength, realizing that we need God to make it in life and keep our soul tender and true, it's good to remember --

*God sent a rainbow to Noah as a symbol that His love for many would never waver (Genesis 9:14-15).
*God spoke to Moses in a burning bush (Exodus 3:2-6) and parted the waters of the sea with His breath to provide deliverance (Exodus 14:21).
*God allowed a young shepherd boy to conquer a mighty warrier with only a sling shot and a single stone (1 Samuel 17:49).
*Jesus healed a blind man (Mark 8:22-25), a person with leprosy (Matthew 8:2-3), a man who had never walked (Matthew 9:2-7), and even raised a young girl from death to life (Luke 8:51-55).
*The Holy Spirit came upon the followers of Jesus so they could proclaim God's love in languages they'd never spoken before (Acts 2:4-8).

God is at work in our world--and in our lives. Sometimes all we need is to open our eyes to see His tender mercies in our lives."

"Your Father knows the things you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:8

God promises to:

Give you rest. Matthew 11:29;
Keep His promises. 1Chronicles 16:15; and
Take care of you. Psalm 17:5.

One of the key words in the Bible is "Remember." We are to remember God's works, His mercy, His faithfulness. Sometimes I think we forget all God has done for us.

We have to lean on God and he will carry us. The devil wants nothing better to get us worked up over things, such as this testing. We have to stand firm in our faith. We see God's Hand at work here. We have seen only a portion of what He is able to do.

He will give us the Grace we need. His Grace is sufficient!

Please join me and my family as we continue to pray for good test results for Jan.

~Praying for Grace~

~Random Thoughts~

Surgery ~ orthopedic at that and dogs do not go hand in hand. Ripley will be 4 in July. Five weeks ago he had surgery on his elbow. How in the world do you keep a dog calm for 8 weeks? It has been a challenge! He doesn't understand that he is to remain calm for this length of time. This means no jumping on furniture and no running. Actually it means no doing anything for him. This little fellow had a congenital defect where one of his bones didn't grow properly and would pop out of place quite frequently. We still have 3 weeks to go and then after that I think we still have to be very careful. He's such a sweet dog and so loving. My heart goes out to him as he doesn't understand all the changes and he seems to be having a tough time lately. I'm hoping that all is well as this was a tricky surgery and one that is difficult to get good results.

I spent much of the day with my sister yesterday after finally cleaning house. Housework doesn't seem as important any more as it is to spend time with family and friends. However, the last few months has been quite busy with research and such that housework wasn't a priority. Oh, it would get cleaned, but in stages. Yesterday was an over haul housecleaning morning. So after cleaning I arranged to get Jan out of the house for a bit. It was a nice day, so we did some shopping. I'm so thankful that she felt good as it has seemed getting started on the meds has been an ordeal.

Today after church I spent time with a friend and her daughter. Emma is almost 3. She is adopted from China. I wish I had as much energy as she does. It's nice to spend time with friends. I keep in close contact with good friend, however there hasn't been a lot of time to do normal things lately.

I'm so ready for spring. It reminds us of our blessings. With spring come longer days, flowers, more sun and just an overall reminder of how good God is.

We are trusting at this new season, a time of renewed strength and hope in our God. We are praying for good results this week for Jan, as well as peace of mind. With so many family and friends walking this journey with us, we have felt a peace like only what God can provide. This comes from prayer. We are thankful that we have a God that we can go to at any time with anything.

Believers have a major advantage in life -- they can turn to God for wisdom and help.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

~Unspeakable Peace~

In all your ways acknowledge him." Proverbs 3:6

Jan started on her second week of chemo last night. She is on a cycle of one week on/one week off. What a difference a week makes. The first week she was on the chemo, she also developed an allergy to one of the other 3 medications they were giving her. Since they were all started at once they had to stop all 3, wait for the rash to go away and then start again. She started back on one of the meds on Wednesday and another one last night, along with the chemo. The medication started last night has shown to provide a lot of benefit in killing cancer cells. Pray that this is not the medication she is allergic to and that everything will run smoothly and according to plan. She had a totally different start today from 2 weeks ago. I think this must be in part to the fact that she has been exercising this last week. I can't imagine how she feels and I know its been tough at times this week, but she has done fabulous. We are also working on changing diets as well. There has been evidence that sugar, for instance is horrible in many ways, but especially in feeding cancer and cancer cells, as well as tumor.

She returns to M.D. Anderson on Wednesday, March 12 for MRI and blood work. Her oncologist doesn't believe there will be much change from a month ago, but he expects significant change by April. PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING THAT THE CANCER IS NOT GROWING AND IN FACT THAT THEY SEE A FURTHER REGRESSION IN SIZE. It is very stressful when there is testing, not only for Jan and Gerald, but our entire family. Please pray that we are filled with peace this week.

Our family is gearing up for May ~ Brain Awareness Month. We want to give back for all the blessings we have received on this journey. There are several events that we are planning on volunteering for.

I put the above scripture up today I think because the last few weeks have been mighty bumpy.

It's a familiar verse. Once we are often quick to quote and slow to apply. And yet, if obeyed, it can produce peace in your soul and mine during busy seasons.

Charles Bridges' provides fresh insight into this tittle verse. Consider his comments carefully:

"Take one step at a time, every step under Divine warrant and direction. Every plan for yourself in simple dependence on God. It is nothing less than self-idolatry to conceive that we can carry on even the ordnary matters of the day without His counsel. He loves to be consulted...Consider no circumstances too clear to need His direction. In all they ways, small as well as great; In all they concerns, personal or relative, temporal or eternal, let Him be supreme. Who of us has not found the unspeakable 'peace' of bringing to God matters too minute or individual to be entrusted to the most confidential ear.?"

Proverbs 3:6 is our go-to verse when we're faced with a big decision. We are often quick to acknowledge the Lord and seek His guidance in extraordinary situations. However, we assume we can "carry on ...the ordinary matters of the day without his counsel." God calls this self-idolatry and pride.

How often I live as if I don't need God in order to perform regular daily tasks -- as if I am sufficient in and of my self to handle most things! My lack of dependence upon God is pronounced in these "ordinary matters."

And yet, as Mr. Bridges points out, "God loves to be consulted...no circumstance (is) too clear to need His direction!" He wants us to bring to Him all our little decisions, our minor frustrations, our small delemmas. He doesn't just tolerate our questions -- God LOVES to be consulted! Hasn't He commanded us to acknowledge Him in all our ways?

A season of busyness may tempt you to anxiety, but as Christians, we are truly meant to experience peace in our souls each and every day. This precious, "unspeakable peace," comes when we bring to God all of the ordinary matters of our day.

So what were you going to do next? Before you get up from your computer, pause, read this verse and quote again, and acknowledge Him.

Unspeakable peace can be yours for the rest of the day.

~To Do List From God~

I ran my life in search of worldly things;
My time and will were firmly in control.
I thought I had no need for what God brings;
I gave no heed to murmurs from my soul.
“You’re planning, doing all the time,” it said,
“But something else is missing deep inside.
Your mind is whirling, but your heart is dead,
So turn to God and let go of your pride.”
I did, and God said, “Here’s My plan for you:
Give your life to Me, and just let go.
Have faith and pray, and read the Bible through,
And you’ll have blessings more than you can know.”
So simple, yet it brings me perfect peace,
Living life for God the way I should.
Direction, purpose, fullness and release—
Life with God is very, very good.

By Joanna Fuchs

~Awareness~

The month of May is BRAIN CANCER AWARENESS month. Before November 13, 2007 I, probably like many, thought brain cancer was RARE. Since then I have become AWARE that it is not so RARE.

We as a family want to bring awareness and help support, especially the Oklahoma Brain Tumor Foundation.

We have been blessed in the last four months as we began this journey. Although there are times that have been tough, the blessings have been Great.

We also want God to be praised and His will to be done.

We received an email regarding Steffanie's Law. Before March 12, we need to contact Representatives to help get this law passed. It is sad to say that when a person has a major illness, especially cancer, that you have to fight (at times) for the insurance companies to pay for hospital and doctors visits, as well as treatments whether they be clinical trials or FDA approved.

There is a reason why God allowed Jan to have brain cancer. We may never know the reason(s). We are leaning heavily on our Faith. I want it to be seen in me that my days are filled with things that count for Christ. I want my actions to show that I'm steadfast and immovable. I know there may be times when we will be tested, but I pray that I stand firm in my faith.

I put the picture of sweet Aubree. She has been such a joy. We are seeing things that God orchestrated months before the cancer was found. One being that He brought Ms. Aubree to our family at just the right time. She is such a light and distraction for all. She is one of the reasons her Grammy is fighting so hard at this time.

So, we will take it one step at a time. We will hope and pray that our God has plans for Jan to be with us for years to come. We won't worry about what tomorrow holds, but will live and enjoy our family.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34

~Faith~

This is a pic taken in 1964 @ Easter. I think I always had pink Easter dresses. Such fun times. We told Grammy that Ms. Aubree needs the "full works" for Easter just as we did.


Here we are at the end of the first day of the week. It has started out well. Things may be inching along. I do feel the devil is trying to get us any way he can, but we're still standing and we are still PRAISING OUR GOD! Though the road has been mighty bumpy lately and it is not an easy road to travel, especially the second time! I believe in my heart that there is still work on this earth for Janet to do, otherwise it could have all been over four months ago. It is not time.



In this world we live in, it wouldn't have surprised me if my Mom, either sister or myself would have had cancer, especially breast, but never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought one of us would have brain cancer. And, not my baby sister!



I'm not really understanding God's choice here. If one of us had to have brain cancer. Why out of the Mom, Donna, Jan and myself would he choose Jan? Or Mom or Donna? They are not the likely choice. I know there is a bigger picture. I know it is not for me to understand. We have to put our Faith in God and let him direct us.

Often times God demonstrates His faithfulness in adversity by providing for us what we need to survive. He does not change our painful circumstances. He sustains us through them.- Charles Stanley

Casting Crowns Praise You In The Storm