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Monday, November 19, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Sweet Shutterfly.com Deal
I am super excited about the deal I just received! Shutterfly.com is offering 10 free stationary cards!! I could choose from folding cards, flat cards, or these lovely 5X5 cards!!! Of course yours will not be as gorgeous as mine because you do not have the beautiful kids to put on the card!!!!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Love is in the air!
Don't you feel it??
All types of love is surrounding me :) Not just the love for my dear sweet husband...but also the love for my children, my life, and most of all my Lord.
Husband
This weekend, Justin and I were BLESSED to be able to go a marriage retreat called Weekend To Remember presented by Family Life. Were it not for the love of some dear friends this trip would not have been possible for us at this time in our lives. Its kinda strange...I think the idea of the conference is to strengthen individual marriages. I can honestly say that even though Justin and I went into this weekend in a great place in our marriage...we walked away renewed and strengthened! God certainly spoke to me about areas in which my heart could use some adjustment. More than anything...I think God gave us some unexpected clarity about some things. Things we had been praying about. He provided clarity...not really answers. But, if He gave us all the answers at once why would we need faith??
I was reminded more than ever why I love my husband. How grateful I am for our love; which really is a gift from God. He is my gift from God. I will never cease to praise God for all that he is. I am so blessed to have Justin to love me, to guide me, and to stand with me! The past 6-8 months have not been the hardest years of our marriage...but they have been a hard time for us. Justin has loved me through the loss of a job, the difficulty in finding one, and all of the emotions that go along with all of that! He has been patient, loving and kind. He has loved me well!
The conference ended with a vow renewal ceremony. How fitting for us as we prepare to celebrate 10 years of marriage this year!!! This will be the 15th year that Justin will be my Valentine!
Children
Seriously people! I know most of you have kids and I am sure you love them and think that they are great and everything...but these are the BEST kids in the world. I guess it because they are MINE :)
I could not be more in love or more proud of any two kids!
Carys continues to grow into a young woman. She loves to learn and observe the world around her. Last night at church her lesson was on Queen Esther. She told me that her teacher did a great job but that she wanted us to read the story straight from the Bible (love!) So, I grabbed the first Bible which happened to be KJV and as we fumbled through I had to summarize every verse :) I asked her what did she think made Esther so desirable or beautiful to the king. She replied, "because she loved God." AMEN! Love that answer!
Sawyer is such a neat kid. Anyone who talks to him always comments how funny and interesting he is. I will ask for a bit of prayer for my Little Guy. He is going to the ENT this week to have his hearing examined. We have noticed some issues over the past few months and we feel that it needs to be addressed now. Please join us in praying that whatever we discover will have a major impact on him. That may seem like a strange way to phrase my prayer but it is my heart. I know that God has a plan. I pray that my Saw-Man has NO major problems or disorders. But even more than that, I pray that whatever we discover that we (as his parents) and he (as God's child) can "count it all joy" knowing it is a part of God's plan!
Life and Lord
I am one BLESSED lady. I don't have a job...but I have work. I don't have much money...but I am rich. I don't have life it all toghter...but I have it!
God has a plan for me. Because He loves me. And He made me for great things!
These are the words from a VBS song and they are the song of my heart. I don't know if you have ever been without a job. It is hard. And not just because you need money (which you do)! But because for the most part in today's culture...you are supposed to have a job. God has provided something for me to do. It is something I am good at and I can make money for my family. But I do not think it is my CALL...
I have known what that is for a while. I have even worked at it before. However, I have let attitudes of fear, selfishness, pride, and even the opinions of others rule my life. No longer. I know (and so do you if you have ever read my blog before) that God has called me to serve. To enter a vocation in which it is my job, my mission, to serve Him by sharing Him.
Now, as awesome as this sounds (and it is!) there is just one problem. I don't know when, or where, or how. I am waiting, and praying, and seeking. This is scary. I want to be clear in this next part. I do not want you to get this picture in your mind of me setting at home doing nothing more than praying for a job. No, I am still actively looking for employment...even secular work at this point. Like I said, I do not know WHEN or WHERE God is going to place me. I guess place US would be a better way to put it. Justin agrees that in fact it is not just me, but US that God is calling.
I want to make the public because we NEED prayers. We need support. We need love!
We have two verses we are claiming right now.
"I know the plans I have for you declairs the Lord"
and my version of Romans 8:28
We love God...We are Called...We are waiting for it to all work together!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
He's my son...
and I love him!
He's the funniest kid I know.
He's (usually:) honest. He thinks that telling the truth is important...even if it means he will get in trouble.
He's amazed at the world around him. He thinks that God's creations are amazing and interesting.
He's a thinker. You better watch out if you see a face like this! It means he is analyzing, considering, and maybe even planning!
He's also a fisherman :)
I know I am his mom and all, but he really is an old soul. He brings joy to my life everyday. In the mornings he wants to start the day with a hug. I know this will not be the case forever, so I am doing my best to cherish these wonderful days. He's growing and learning.
He's my son!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Four years is a long time. Don't you think?
Four years ago today (January7) was one of the most difficult days of my life. It was also one of the best days of my life! It was the day I truly placed Carys Jo into God's hands. It was the day of her "big" surgery where she lost her right kidney, part of her liver, a LOT of blood, and gained her freedom from Wilms Tumor.
Typically, when children are diagnosed with Wilms they go within the hour to surgery to remove the tumor and the affected kidney. We were told right away that would not be the case with Carys. Her tumor was too large and too involved (Stage IV) to be extracted. She would have to undergo chemo first and once the tumor was "ready" they would go ahead with the surgery.
Carys' tumor had grown out of her kidney, into her renal vein, and into her inferior vena cava (which carries blood to the heart). It was like a weed; like a vine. Because these veins were involved the surgery would be super risky and we were told upfront there may not be a surgeon in Birmingham that would want to attempt such a feat. As with everything during her journey...we trusted God to work it out...and boy did He!
We met with Dr. Douglas Barnhart in late December. He showed us Carys' most recent CT scans and explained EVERYTHING about the tumor placement and his opinion about how the surgery plan should go. He then told us something I would never forget. First, he told us that because he would be cutting veins, pulling tumor out of veins (which could be very well be attached to a vessel wall) there was a great chance that her heart could stop, she could lose too much blood, she could need to go on heart bypass, or she would not survive the surgery. He actually told us that there was a better chance that she would not survive the surgery than her dying of any other cause; ever.
However, he told us that he had prayed over Carys' case for three days. That he would do commit to doing the surgery until he felt that God was guiding him and that he could do more good that harm. We knew right then that GOD was in this and Dr. Barnhart was his tool.
We made it through the holidays and prepared get the tumor out!
The night before surgery was the worst. I remember thinking, is this the last time I will see her smile, hear her say that phrase, kiss her, have her kiss me...and so on. It was tough!
The day arrived, January 7, 2008. God held us the whole day. We were surrounded by friends and family but it was the grace of God that held us that day.
She defied the odds. Although they stopped the blood flow to the bottom of her body, although she received 5 units of blood during the surgery, and although we were told he could not remove the cancer than had metastasised to her lungs...she came out of that OR cancer free!
It was a long few days in ICU and then in the hospital but it really did not slow her down very much!
I don't tell you all this to scare you or make you feel sorry for her (or us)...I share it so that you may know...
God is good..."But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, so I can tell about all You do." (Ps 73:28)
God is faithful... "Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever." (Ps 106:1)
God is strong..."For who is God besides the LORD? And who is a rock? Only our God." (2 Samuel 22:32)
God is powerful..."Yes, God is mighty, but He despises no one; He understands all things." (Job 36:5)
That you may know..."This is so that all the people of the earth may know that the LORD’s hand is mighty, and so that you may always fear the LORD your God.” (Joshua 4:24)
I am so unworthy of everything God has to offer me. His love, His salvation, His mercy, His grace! Despite my wretched self...He offers it all to me...and to YOU!
Four years ago today (January7) was one of the most difficult days of my life. It was also one of the best days of my life! It was the day I truly placed Carys Jo into God's hands. It was the day of her "big" surgery where she lost her right kidney, part of her liver, a LOT of blood, and gained her freedom from Wilms Tumor.
Typically, when children are diagnosed with Wilms they go within the hour to surgery to remove the tumor and the affected kidney. We were told right away that would not be the case with Carys. Her tumor was too large and too involved (Stage IV) to be extracted. She would have to undergo chemo first and once the tumor was "ready" they would go ahead with the surgery.
Carys' tumor had grown out of her kidney, into her renal vein, and into her inferior vena cava (which carries blood to the heart). It was like a weed; like a vine. Because these veins were involved the surgery would be super risky and we were told upfront there may not be a surgeon in Birmingham that would want to attempt such a feat. As with everything during her journey...we trusted God to work it out...and boy did He!
We met with Dr. Douglas Barnhart in late December. He showed us Carys' most recent CT scans and explained EVERYTHING about the tumor placement and his opinion about how the surgery plan should go. He then told us something I would never forget. First, he told us that because he would be cutting veins, pulling tumor out of veins (which could be very well be attached to a vessel wall) there was a great chance that her heart could stop, she could lose too much blood, she could need to go on heart bypass, or she would not survive the surgery. He actually told us that there was a better chance that she would not survive the surgery than her dying of any other cause; ever.
However, he told us that he had prayed over Carys' case for three days. That he would do commit to doing the surgery until he felt that God was guiding him and that he could do more good that harm. We knew right then that GOD was in this and Dr. Barnhart was his tool.
We made it through the holidays and prepared get the tumor out!
The night before surgery was the worst. I remember thinking, is this the last time I will see her smile, hear her say that phrase, kiss her, have her kiss me...and so on. It was tough!
The day arrived, January 7, 2008. God held us the whole day. We were surrounded by friends and family but it was the grace of God that held us that day.
She defied the odds. Although they stopped the blood flow to the bottom of her body, although she received 5 units of blood during the surgery, and although we were told he could not remove the cancer than had metastasised to her lungs...she came out of that OR cancer free!
It was a long few days in ICU and then in the hospital but it really did not slow her down very much!
I don't tell you all this to scare you or make you feel sorry for her (or us)...I share it so that you may know...
God is good..."But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, so I can tell about all You do." (Ps 73:28)
God is faithful... "Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever." (Ps 106:1)
God is strong..."For who is God besides the LORD? And who is a rock? Only our God." (2 Samuel 22:32)
God is powerful..."Yes, God is mighty, but He despises no one; He understands all things." (Job 36:5)
That you may know..."This is so that all the people of the earth may know that the LORD’s hand is mighty, and so that you may always fear the LORD your God.” (Joshua 4:24)
I am so unworthy of everything God has to offer me. His love, His salvation, His mercy, His grace! Despite my wretched self...He offers it all to me...and to YOU!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
There was a day...
There was a day; not so very long ago. On October 12, 2007 my life changed forever. On this Friday, I woke up just like every other Friday. I woke Sawyer and then Carys. When I changed her pull-up there were clots of blood inside. She was happy, cheerful, and anxious to play with her baby brother. The blood clots confirmed that the blood we had seen days earlier was something serious...but what?
Justin came home from work, we called the doctor, and upon his advice headed for Children's ER in Birmingham. Doctors came in. They drew blood. They pushed on her belly. They asked questions. Nothing seemed wrong. More doctors came in. They pushed on her belly...still, nothing. We waited. They made us an appointment with on of the top pediatric urologists in the country...for two weeks later. They prescribed more antibiotics and prepared us to head home. At the last minute they decided that since we would need an abdominal ultra-sound before she saw the urologists, and radiology had and opening, they would let us go upstairs for the ultra-sound before we left.
Justin went into the waiting room with his dad to tell him we were going home. I took Carys by the hand and let her up to radiology. She laid on the table and the tech began scanning her belly. I will never forget the smile on the technician's face as she looked at us and said, "I am going to go get my doctor and let him take a look at you."
I am no doctor. However, God blessed me with deductive reasoning skills. This was the one moment in my life I wished that I was ignorant. In that moment, if I knew one thing it was that radiologist read film. They do not examine patients...unless...
He entered the room. A doctor with and Indian accent can be difficult to understand. However, I had no trouble understanding his words, "Which side is it on?"
It...the word that changed our lives.
We spent the next year looking at it, thinking about it, praying about it.
It...in case you have never met us...was a tumor. A tumor that had over taken my 3-year-old daughter's right kidney, attached to her liver, grown out of her renal vein and into her vena cava, and metastasized to her right lung...It.
I don't know that I have ever really told the story of that day. You have probably read or heard tell of all of the events between that day and this. If not I will give you a quick recap. She was diagnosed, treated with poison (aka. chemo), treated with the stuff that is a by-product of nuclear power plants (radiation), received who knows how many people's blood and platelets, and was cared for by the most wonderfully amazing people on the planet. People all around the country interceded for her. Went before God and pleaded for healing for Carys, for strength for her family, for peace for us all.
He heard. He listened. He healed.
I know that as I type this there are those out there who are hurting. I do not write this this for pity. I don't write it so that when you see her picture below you will gawk at how beautiful she is. I write this so that you may know...
I just described one of the few truly bad days of my life. You must know what brought me from that day to this one. It was HIM.
Although I fail many time each day, I strive to live so that everyone knows what God had done for me. It is hard to explain but the best thing that God has ever done for me is not healing my daughter. The greatest thing is the work He had started in me. In the fall of 1991, I accepted His free gift of salvation. It was free to me, but only because the price was paid in full at Calvary.
We all have our October 12ths...our days that will live in infamy. If you are so blessed that this day has not yet come for you (and I promise the encouragement is coming)...know that the day is coming. However, you do not have to face the storm alone. 2 Samuel 22:2 says, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer." He is, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."
If yesterday, today, or tomorrow turns out to be your Oct 12th...I pray you will seek refuge in the One who has already made The Way. I pray you will find yourself grounded in the Rock of His Word. And, I pray you will find strength in the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Tonight, I pray.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
His Way Is Perfect...
I am not going to devote more that one sentence to the fact that I have not written in a long time. Admittedly, I have wondered over my blogging "break" if God really still had stuff for me to share in this way. But, I was reminded this week that my blessings are too great not to share them. What often seems like the non-sense of my daily life is, in fact, the perfect Will of God. So, I write...
Sunday, September 4, 2011 marked the 3rd Anniversary of the day that Carys received her first "off-treatment" scans and was, for the first time declared cancer-free! My father-in-law described it best when he stated that if that Carys' healing was the only blessing we ever received for the rest of our lives...we would not live long enough to run out of blessing from that one act of God! Thankfully, God has chosen to do so much more for me and my family that just this one blessing!
So, three years later I live to make sure that I nor anyone else who knows Carys forgets what God has done for her; for us! The most obvious thing is that she is healed. I speak this as fact. Despite the fact that we will return to Children's next month for a check-up...I choose to believe that she is in fact completely healed. But today as I write I hope to do one more thing. I hope to make everyone aware of the one of the other great blessings that came from our journey.
"As for God, His way is perfect" Psalm 18:30
Because of all that happened to my daughter over three years ago...I have no problem BELIEVING this verse. It means I don't get discouraged easily. One of the biggest blessings that came from her illness was the spiritual growth that occurred. I mean, during that time in my life I HAD to have faith. There was no other option. No doctor or nurse could tell me for sure that my daughter would survive or if she would have any long term effects from her treatment. I learned the God's ways, however foreign they may seem to us, are ALWAYS perfect.
I think too often we get caught up in the circumstances we face in life to realize that God knew we would be where we are before we got here! He has prepared a perfect beginning, middle, and ending for each phase of our lives. Nothing happens by accident. I could give you details of things that have happened to me over the past few months that would show you this is true. They would not mean as much to you because they are my things. So, I challenge you to think...
Where has God brought you to today? What is your attitude about where God has placed you? Are you truly believing that He has put you there? That He has prepared everyone and everything for you? Are you trusting Psalm 18:30? Is His way perfect or would you do it different if you could.
Think about these things. Pray. Seek God's advice about your attitudes, your direction, your faith. His word says, "seek and ye shall find!"
If you have a few minutes...go back and look at some of my old post over the past few years. Look where God has brought me through and it will prove Psalm 18:30 over and over!
~God Bless~
Sunday, September 4, 2011 marked the 3rd Anniversary of the day that Carys received her first "off-treatment" scans and was, for the first time declared cancer-free! My father-in-law described it best when he stated that if that Carys' healing was the only blessing we ever received for the rest of our lives...we would not live long enough to run out of blessing from that one act of God! Thankfully, God has chosen to do so much more for me and my family that just this one blessing!
So, three years later I live to make sure that I nor anyone else who knows Carys forgets what God has done for her; for us! The most obvious thing is that she is healed. I speak this as fact. Despite the fact that we will return to Children's next month for a check-up...I choose to believe that she is in fact completely healed. But today as I write I hope to do one more thing. I hope to make everyone aware of the one of the other great blessings that came from our journey.
"As for God, His way is perfect" Psalm 18:30
Because of all that happened to my daughter over three years ago...I have no problem BELIEVING this verse. It means I don't get discouraged easily. One of the biggest blessings that came from her illness was the spiritual growth that occurred. I mean, during that time in my life I HAD to have faith. There was no other option. No doctor or nurse could tell me for sure that my daughter would survive or if she would have any long term effects from her treatment. I learned the God's ways, however foreign they may seem to us, are ALWAYS perfect.
I think too often we get caught up in the circumstances we face in life to realize that God knew we would be where we are before we got here! He has prepared a perfect beginning, middle, and ending for each phase of our lives. Nothing happens by accident. I could give you details of things that have happened to me over the past few months that would show you this is true. They would not mean as much to you because they are my things. So, I challenge you to think...
Where has God brought you to today? What is your attitude about where God has placed you? Are you truly believing that He has put you there? That He has prepared everyone and everything for you? Are you trusting Psalm 18:30? Is His way perfect or would you do it different if you could.
Think about these things. Pray. Seek God's advice about your attitudes, your direction, your faith. His word says, "seek and ye shall find!"
If you have a few minutes...go back and look at some of my old post over the past few years. Look where God has brought me through and it will prove Psalm 18:30 over and over!
~God Bless~
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